Council short-listed for house-building initiative
Birmingham City Council has been shortlisted for the prestigious Local Government Chronicle Awards 2015.
Its entry under the new category of ‘Housing Initiative’ recognises the innovation behind the city council’s house building programme, the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT).
‘Housing an Ageing Population’ showcases a pilot scheme from 2014 to demonstrate how it has responded to the recent government reports which set out good practice on how to build homes for older people.
BMHT has built 14 new bungalows including 13 dormer-style bungalows in Sutton Coldfield as a pilot scheme which was completed in summer 2014. Almost all of the incoming residents released larger, family-sized houses that were then able to be re-let to tenants on the housing waiting list. The dormer-style properties provide a bedroom and bathroom on both the ground floor and the first floor, which allows the occupants flexibility in how they live in their home and avoids either major adaptations or the need to move if their mobility becomes restricted.
The development of each single property therefore ensures that the housing need of two households can be met; the older tenants who are down-sizing and a younger family that can then move into the house that is vacated.
Councilor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “This is testimony to the hard work that has been put in by the city council, to continually increase and develop the range of new housing options, and the strong support given by elected members to ensure that the council plays a lead role in driving-up the quality of affordable housing in Birmingham.â€
Councillor John Cotton, cabinet member for health and well-being, said: “I was delighted to visit these residents just after they’d moved into their new bungalows and the positive response to this new style of property was overwhelming. We will definitely be providing more of these homes as part of our ongoing drive to increase the supply of affordable housing in Birmingham.â€
The winner will be announced in March this year.
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