WMCA to tackle mouldy homes

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is investing £15m in improving unhealthy social housing.

The money will be used to tackle damp, cold and mouldy homes by ripping out ineffective heating systems and replacing them with electric ones, plus installing high quality insulation and repairing leaky roofs, windows and doors.

The WMCA will work with local councils and other registered housing providers to identify those homes in most need of critical improvements and repairs, using funding provided by the government.

Work is likely to involve:

• Reduction of mould and damp by fixing leaks and making homes warmer, easier to heat and better ventilated
• Internal and external wall insulation
• Replacing doors and windows where they are old or in poor condition
• Replacing or major repairs to heating systems that are old and ineffective
• Major roofing repairs

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said:

The announcement of nearly £15m in funding from government to upgrade our social housing stock is very good news indeed for our region – blighted for far too long with too many sub-standard properties.

Now that we’ve secured this money, we can put it to good work for the benefit of local people – improving quality of life in a tangible and meaningful way for West Midlands residents in the months and years ahead.

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing, property and regeneration, added;

Sub-standard homes are not only a health hazard for those living in them but are also a major contributor to people’s poor quality of life overall.

So, this money is good news indeed and means we can start making improvements in the quality of social housing in our region. We believe it will make a significant difference for those people living in social housing that falls way short of the standards we should expect in the 21^st century.