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Applications open for city's first council houses in 30 years

People will get the chance to apply for one of Wolverhampton's first new council homes in 30 years from next week.

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Applications to live in the first three council properties being built in Thompson Avenue open on Tuesday, with the tenants expected to move in by the end of September.

A single detached one-bedroom bungalow and a pair of two-bedroom semis are now nearing completion, with a further 37 council properties due to be complete by spring next year.

What could be done to improve the housing market in the West Midlands? Leave your comments below.

They are the first new council houses in Wolverhampton since a scheme in Pendeford in the 1980s.

They are being built under a deal between Wolverhampton Council and builder Kier Partnership Homes, where the local authority provided the land free of charge on condition that a third of the 120 homes built on the site were council properties.

Prospective new tenants will be able to bid for the homes through Wolverhampton Homes, which manages council housing in the city.

See also: £575k funds to build more Wolverhampton council houses.

Director of resources at Wolverhampton Homes Philip Toni said: "It's great to see the first new council houses almost ready to go at Thompson Avenue.

"The council and the builders have a done a really good job on these and people can start bidding for the first three homes from next week.

"Thirty-seven more council homes will become available over the coming months and should all be filled by next spring."

He said that people could bid for the homes through the council's Homes in The City website at www.homesinthecity.org.uk

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When the scheme is complete, rents for the properties will start at £93.50 a week – around 20 per cent cheaper than in the private sector.

The project has been welcomed byWolverhampton Council's cabinet member for economic regeration, Councillor Peter Bilson, who said it was an extremely exciting time.

"One of our key aims to regenerate the city is to increase the number of decent and affordable homes that are available in Wolverhampton and this scheme certainly helps us achieve that.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said there was a need for more affordable good quality housing in the city.

He said: "This excellent new development is the first new council housing to be built in Wolverhampton for many years and will be one step towards addressing the shortage we face."

Managing director of Kier Partnership Chris King said the company was proud to be working on the scheme.

"We understand that affordable housing needs a sustainable design both play an important role in this development."

See also: West Midlands first-time buyers held up by homes shortage.

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