WMCA secures £15m to tackle social housing disrepair

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has secured £14.9m from Government to improve some of the region’s most dilapidated and unhealthy social housing.

The work, which is expected to be carried out on hundreds of properties over the coming months, will be aimed at bringing poor quality homes up to the Government’s ‘Decent Homes Standard’.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said:

“The announcement of nearly £15m in funding from Government to upgrade our social housing stock is very good news indeed for our region – blighted for far too long with too many sub-standard properties.

“Now that we’ve secured this money, we can put it to good work for the benefit of local people – improving quality of life in a tangible and meaningful way for West Midlands residents in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing, property and regeneration, added:

“Sub-standard homes are not only a health hazard for those living in them but are also a major contributor to people’s poor quality of life overall.

“So, this money is good news indeed and means we can start making improvements in the quality of social housing in our region. We believe it will make a significant difference for those people living in social housing that falls way short of the standards we should expect in the 21st century.”