Thousands of tenants in Birmingham are now seeing the benefits of the country’s biggest investment programme in council homes.
Since 2024, Birmingham City Council has invested over £600 million as part of a £1.6bn plan to provide better council homes.
During this time, tenants have seen their energy bills reduced, and around 50 kitchens and 50 bathrooms have been refurbished each week. In the past year, 35,000 upgrades have been made across 6,000 council homes.
The investment is making homes warmer, safer, more comfortable and more sustainable, providing a massive difference in people’s lives. Stacey, a resident of the freshly refurbished Bromford, had struggled to heat her home in the past. After the upgrades, she now enjoys a cozy, safer home.
Stacey, said:
“I’ve lived in my home for almost 19 years. But the heating issues meant I’d make it all lovely inside and it still wouldn’t be comfortable. It was like a losing battle.”
“With the new windows installed, I can heat it up instantly and it actually stays cosy. While enclosing the ground-floor balcony means I no longer feel vulnerable to passersby. I’ve actually transformed the space into my very own home office – free from distractions at last!”
“And with everything looking new and fresh, people are taking better care of the area. It’s brought the community together.”
The council’s cabinet is set to approve continued record investment in council homes, aiming for 100% Decent Homes Standards compliance by 2032.
The council is funding the investment from its ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account, which is mainly supported by tenant and leaseholder rents. As a result, the council’s finances will not affect this programme.
Councillor Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“I know that housing is the bedrock of opportunity; a warm, safe home is what allows people to flourish and grow. So I am delighted to see the difference our investment has made so far and the progress being made to ensure all our tenants and leaseholders are living in warm, safe and sustainable homes.
“Energy bills for many have been cut, homes are safer, and many tenants have had new kitchens and bathrooms installed. There’s still much more to do and we will keep up the pace of investment over the next six years, making this the country’s biggest investment in council homes.”
