THE WEST Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced nearly £15million is to be spent improving some of the region’s most dilapidated and unhealthy social housing.
The cash will be used to tackle damp, cold and mouldy homes by ripping out ineffective, high carbon emitting heating systems and replacing them with modern electric ones, installing high quality insulation and repairing leaky roofs, windows and doors.
The WMCA will work with local councils and other registered housing providers to identify homes in most need of critical improvements and repairs to bring them up to a decent standard.
Homes plagued by hazards such as damp and mould and a threat to health will be made a priority.
The work will include reduction of mould and damp, internal and external wall insulation, replacing doors and windows and major roofing repairs.
The work, expected to be carried out on hundreds of properties over the coming months, is 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: “Now 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.”
Coun 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.”
