West Midlands housing markets get £80m boost

The West Midlands has been boosted by an £80m government grant to tackle areas of low housing demand and housing abandonment in the region.

The money will be split between 'Urban Living', the Birmingham Sandwell market renewal pathfinder programme, which will receive £50m, and 'Renew North Staffordshire', which gets £30m.

Over the next two years some 2,000 homes will be refurbished and another 700 will be demolished in the two areas. 

The investment is aimed at reversing the spiral of social and economic decline that has driven residents away from pathfinder areas and creating thriving, sustainable communities.

Regeneration minister Jeff Rooker said: "For some years, these areas have suffered from weak housing markets and associated social problems. Our funding will start to turn this around by providing high quality housing in a safe environment, with access to good local services and green spaces.

"Decent housing is the foundation upon which thriving neighbourhoods are built. It is an important part of ensuring everyone in the Midlands has a home they can be proud of, in an area they want to live in."

The funding is in addition to the £4m market renewal funding allocated to the each of the two pathfinders last year for programmes of early action.