Social homes are ‘changing lives’ for hundreds of West Midlands families, Mayor claims
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said people’s lives are being changed by hundreds of social houses being created.
Mr Parker said 754 new social homes have been funded in just one year compared with just 46 being created in the previous eight years
He revealed the figures as part of a one-year review of a Labour Government and said the new social homes formed part of a wider plan to fix the region’s housing system which he described as ‘broken’.
Mr Parker said, under his leadership, £167 million had been committed through a new Retrofitting Fund to cut energy bills as well as grants to tackle damp and mouldy homes
He also hailed a Government £39 billion long-term housing regeneration programme to deliver more social and affordable homes.
Mr Parker said: “This is what political change looks like – people can see politics delivering for them.
“After eight years of stagnation, we’ve now delivered over 750 new social homes in a single year.
“That means hundreds of local families in our region are finally living in safe, secure, affordable housing.
“And it’s personal – I’ve met the people whose lives have been changed, it inspires you to do even more.
“When you change who’s making the decisions – you change the lives of the people those decisions affect.
“Change takes time, but in the West Midlands, people are already seeing the difference.”
He added: “Housing is about more than bricks and mortar – it shapes health, opportunity, dignity.
“That’s why I made it a priority from day one, and it’s why the Labour Government have backed me to deliver. We’ve done a lot, but we’ll do thousands more.
“After years of being held back, we’re showing what’s possible when this region has a Mayor and a Government working together.
“Politics matters – and it’s delivering for the people of the West Midlands.”
