£300m investment pledged to council housing
A council has given the go-ahead for a three-year housing investment programme worth £297 million.
Birmingham Council said that £98m will be spent in the next financial year – beginning April 2012 – including £59m on continuing the Decent Homes programme, £36m on new affordable homes and £3m on adaptations.
The investment is a result of new Housing Revenue Account self financing framework being introduced in April 2012 and the council said the programme will include:
- upgrades to more than 450 kitchens and bathrooms
- replacement of more than 2,700 heating systems
- provision of new windows to more than 1,500 properties
- completion of at least 1,500 new roofs
- new and replacement of key secure by design external doors
- a programme for upgrading our concierge and security systems in tower blocks
- continuation of our fire protection work in multi-storey properties to ensure the safety of our tenants
- lift replacement programmes
John Lines, Birmingham Council’s member for housing, said: ‘First and foremost this investment is good news for our tenants. In addition, the joint lobbying of members/tenants secured resources for an adaptations programme.
‘The council’s proposals for 2012/13 and beyond will allow tenants to benefit by replacing essentials in their home including central heating, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.
‘The plans will ensure that the investment of £800m that we have already completed will be protected for the future.’
The council said that the investment strategy would ensure the long-term sustainability of neighbourhoods and protect the current estimated open market value of £4.5billion of its 65,000 properties.
Investment will also allow the provision of 232 new affordable homes for the council through various programmes including its own house building programme – Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust with the addition of properties for sale.
