West Midlands mayor launches housing taskforce

Mr Parker believes the taskforces will provide expert advice, challenge current approaches and propose practical solutions.

He said: “Too many people in the West Midlands don’t have a safe, affordable place to call home. That’s why I have committed to building thousands of new social homes, delivering a mass insulation scheme to make thousands of homes warmer and cheaper to run, and supporting homeless people.

“But I can’t do this alone, which is why I have brought together some of the brightest minds in our region on my new homes taskforce, so we can work together to start fixing this housing crisis and change thousands of lives for the better.”

The taskforce recently met for the first time at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)’s office in Birmingham for a discussion on strategies to build more affordable homes and create vibrant communities.

Established in 2016, the WMCA brings together 18 local authorities to oversee the transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall.

Its responsibilities include transport, remediating brownfield land, supporting existing businesses and developing new ones. The region’s ambition is to be net zero carbon by 2041.

Earlier this month, the mayor launched a £167m energy efficiency fund to upgrade up to 10,000 homes.

The funding will be used to upgrade the “oldest and coldest” social and privately owned homes in the region, the WMCA said.

The homes will be fitted with insulation, new doors and windows, solar panels and green heating systems. 

The cash will also “unlock further investment” in housing of around £80m from councils and housing providers, the combined authority said.

Government retrofit schemes, such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, work on a match-funding basis, where the landlord matches the grant funding given to them.