More homes to transform lives and futures
Cllr John Clancy, aims to build on the success of an affordable housing initiative in Birmingham, reflecting: “This city must now move from building hundreds of new homes a year to thousands.”
The Birmingham City Council leader was speaking after he welcomed Shadow Housing Minister John Healey MP to a 26-property development in Nechells.
Built through the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) by Jessup’s the £3m development in Millward Street, Nechells will provide 26 properties for affordable rent.
Cllr Clancy said: “Building housing here and now is our first priority. The Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust is building houses in the hundreds and I’m absolutely determined that the city as a whole must now move towards building thousands.
“Housing transforms lives, it transforms futures. It has an impact on people’s physical and mental health, it has impacts on education and much more. That’s why I make it my first priority in this city. Nationally Labour is looking to develop housing policies and BMHT shows how local authorities can play a major role in addressing the housing crisis.”
The new city council leader met the Karem family, who moved into the Nechells development last month.
He added: “This isn’t simply about bricks and mortar though, it’s about people and families. The Karem family have moved from a one-bedroom flat to a house with a front garden and a back garden and you could see the joy on their faces
“It was an absolute joy to see how much the move has meant to the family and that’s down to the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust.”
The Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust Delivery Plan for 2015-2020 will deliver an estimated 2,056 homes, of which 1,456 will be new rented council homes. Through the BMHT, the city council has become the leading developer of new homes within the city, building more new homes than any other provider.
Photographs of the visit can be downloaded here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghamnewsroom/albums/72157661424863390
