West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has announced £409 million in funding to deliver around 3,200 new social and affordable homes across the region, as he pledged to reduce the number of children living in temporary accommodation.
Parker said nearly 15,000 children in the West Midlands are currently living in temporary accommodation and described bringing that figure down quickly as a major priority.
Writing on X, he said:
“Nearly 15,000 children in the West Midlands are living in temporary accommodation.
“I want that number down - fast.”
The Labour Mayor said the newly secured funding would support thousands of additional homes on top of housing projects already being delivered across the region.
He added:
“Today we secured £409m to build around 3,200 new social and affordable homes on top of what we’re already delivering.”
Parker said the investment should help more families move into safe, secure and permanent accommodation while increasing the overall supply of genuinely affordable housing.
The announcement comes as the Labour Government places social and council housebuilding at the centre of its housing programme, with ministers seeking to tackle long waiting lists, homelessness and the growing use of temporary accommodation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner have also announced major new funding for councils and housing associations as part of Labour’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Parker’s £409 million West Midlands allocation will therefore form part of a wider national effort to significantly increase the number of homes available for social and affordable rent.
Concluding his message, Parker said:
“People deserve a decent home. We’re going to build them.”
The investment represents a significant boost for the West Midlands and gives local authorities and housing providers additional resources to accelerate housebuilding across the region.
