Housing news

Furniture recycling scheme helps people facing homelessness in Birmingham

A pilot scheme to recycle unwanted furniture to some of the most vulnerable people in Birmingham who are facing homelessness, has helped several households for the past six months.

Published 20th December 2024.

• Sale of Perry Barr plots doubles planned number of affordable homes on scheme

  The council has sold two plots of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme to Legal & General Affordable Homes, bringing forward 487 homes as affordable housing, offering a mix of rent and Shared Ownership.

  

  Published 17th December 2024.

• Masterplan to regenerate Druids Heath unveiled

  The community in Druids Heath has had the opportunity to see the masterplan for the regeneration of Druids Heath for the first time.

  

  Published 4th December 2024.

• Scheme to retrofit more than 3,000 homes a year in Birmingham

  Birmingham City Council has appointed three experienced retrofit contractors to assist in retrofitting over 3,000 homes across the city each year.

  

  Published 3rd December 2024.

• Call for local businesses to help get Birmingham 'retrofit ready'

  Birmingham City Council is encouraging local businesses to find out more about retrofitting and how they can benefit from being involved in carrying out energy improvements to homes across the city.

  

  Published 12th November 2024.

• Sixteen historic World War 2 bungalows modernised and brought back into use

  Birmingham City Council has refurbished and preserved sixteen historic Phoenix pre-fabricated homes dating back to World War 2, bringing them back into use for social housing.

  

  Published 17th September 2024.

• Proposals approved to boost the supply of temporary accommodation in Birmingham

  Birmingham City Council's cabinet has approved proposals to increase the supply of temporary accommodation and reduce the council's reliance on B&Bs.

  

  Published 10th September 2024.

• Drive to make social homes greener, warmer and more energy efficient gathers pace

  Birmingham City Council has retrofitted around a quarter of the homes identified as part of an ambitious project to make council homes greener, warmer and more energy efficient.

  

  Published 8th August 2024.

• Proposals brought forward to sell Perry Barr Residential Scheme plots for range of housing tenures

  Proposals to sell three developed plots on the Perry Barr Residential Scheme (PBRS) to a third-party have been approved by the council’s Property Cabinet Sub-Committee on 8 August.

  

  Published 1st August 2024.

• 20 of England’s largest local authority landlords call for the new government to save council homes

  Birmingham City Council have jointly published a report with England's other largest council landlords to publish solutions that will secure the future of council housing.

  Published 10th July 2024.

• Druids Heath regeneration takes a step forward as masterplan is unveiled

  Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community yesterday at a launch event at Manningford Hall.

  

  Published 8th May 2024.

• Transforming neglected empty homes into new family homes

  Homes left empty and abandoned are being transformed and brought back into use all year round by Birmingham City Council's empty homes team.

  Published 8th March 2024.

• Council tenants begin to move into new homes using the latest energy-saving technologies on Gressel Lane

  Works on 36 new family council houses using the latest energy-saving technologies have been completed off Gressel Lane, East Birmingham, and council tenants have begun to move in.

  

  Published 16th February 2024.

• Record investment planned for Birmingham's existing housing stock

  Birmingham City Council has unveiled plans to invest a record £5bn in its housing stock over the next 30 years to ensure its tenants and leaseholders can live in warm, safe, and sustainable homes.

  Published 16th January 2024.

• First ever Birmingham Housing Week chance for young people and communities ‘to shape city’s blueprint’

  Young people and communities are being urged to use the first-ever Birmingham Housing Week to “look beyond the hard hats and bricks” and explore the raft of housing sector career opportunities as part

  

  Published 12th December 2023.

• Council calls on government for support to help house refugees this Christmas

  Homeless support services in Birmingham City Council are under increased pressure as the Government focuses on clearing its asylum backlog.

  Published 29th November 2023.

• Birmingham City Council appoints Paul Langford as Strategic Director for City Housing

  Birmingham City Council have announced Paul Langford as the permanent Strategic Director for City Housing.

  

  Published 5th October 2023.

• Birmingham City Council welcomes Prince William's Homewards project

  Birmingham City Council has welcomed the intervention of Prince William and his Homewards project to tackle homelessness at a local level.

  

  Published 28th June 2023.

• Development partner recommended for £2.2bn Ladywood Estate scheme

  Birmingham City Council has recommended St Joseph Homes Ltd to be its development partner for the £2.2bn regeneration of the 60 hectares Ladywood Estate.

  Published 19th June 2023.

• Shelforce awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise

  Shelforce have been awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise.

  Published 21st April 2023.

• BCC response to Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England

  Birmingham City Council responds to the release of the Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England

  Published 28th February 2023.

• Empty Homes Week 2023

  Each year National Empty Homes Week, which this year runs from Monday 27 February until Sunday 5 March, highlights the need to bring empty homes back into use and tackle their negative impact on neighbourhoods

  

  Published 28th February 2023.

• Birmingham City Council responds to DLUHC report on Exempt Accommodation

  Responding to the report from DLUHC on Exempt accommodation, Sharon Thompson Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness for Birmingham City Council, said:

  

  Published 27th October 2022.

• New Castle Vale development honours Spitfire heroes

  The history of a former derelict site in an area synonymous with the iconic Spitfire plane has been honoured at a launch event organised by Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust.

  

  Published 21st September 2022.

• Birmingham City Council given government go ahead to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme in Birmingham

  Birmingham City Council has been granted permission by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities under the Housing Act 2004 to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme for all private rented properties in 25 wards in the city, delivered through a team of 130 staff.

  

  Published 20th September 2022.

• Birmingham City Council welcomes £3.19 million extension to its supported exempt housing sector pilot from the government’s Supported Housing Improvement Programme

  Birmingham City Council has welcomed the award of £3.19m from the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) to carry on its work reforming the supported exempt housing sector in the city until 2025 as part of the government’s Supported Housing Improvement Programme.

  Published 3rd August 2022.

• BCC sets outs out ambitious plans to retrofit 300 properties costing £27m as part of its commitment to the 3 cities retrofit programme

  Birmingham City Council (BCC) has announced its initial contribution to retrofit 300 homes as part of the 3 cities retrofit programme and its commitment to make Birmingham carbon neutral by 2030.

  Published 25th July 2022.

• Helping the homeless during the heatwave

  Extreme hot weather can be dangerous to people sleeping rough.

  

  Published 13th July 2022.

• Birmingham City Council launches Consultation on a Proposed Additional Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the city

  BCC is launching a consultation on an Additional Licensing scheme across the city on the platform Be Heard www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/additional-licensing on Monday 4 July.

  

  Published 29th June 2022.

• Statement on the explosion at Kingstanding

  We are very sad to hear that a woman has died following the explosion at a house in Kingstanding.

  Published 27th June 2022.

• Levelling Up, Housing And Communities Select Committee visit Birmingham on fact finding mission about Exempt Accommodation

  The Levelling Up, Housing And Communities Committee composed of cross party MPs have visited Birmingham (16 June) on a fact finding mission about Exempt Accommodation.

  Published 16th June 2022.

• New measures announced on exempt or supported housing

  Responding to the news that the government are introducing a new package of measures Cllr Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Vulnerable Children and Families, said

  

  Published 17th March 2022.

• Birmingham City Council announces Selective Licensing Scheme for all private properties in 25 wards in the city

  Birmingham City Council is to pursue a Selective Licensing Scheme in the city. The proposed Selective Licensing Scheme will cover 25 wards where the Private Rented Sector is above 20% of properties and the wards have high levels of deprivation and/or crime.

  

  Published 16th March 2022.

• Birmingham City Council extends housing repair partnership with Equans in a deal worth £160m

  Birmingham City Council has appointed Equans to deliver planned and responsive repairs, maintenance and refurbishment works to more than 40,000 council-owned properties in the city, in a two year deal worth £160m

  

  Published 11th March 2022.

• Birmingham City Council celebrates National Empty Homes Week

  Each year National Empty Homes Week, which this year runs from Monday 28 February until Sunday 6 March, highlights the need to bring empty homes back into use and tackle their negative impact on neighbourhoods

  

  Published 28th February 2022.

• Birmingham City Council responds to the National Rough Sleeper statistics report released by the DLUHC

  Responding to the release today (24 February) of the National Rough Sleeper statistics report by the Department of Levelling Up, Homes and Communities

  Published 24th February 2022.

• Helping rough sleepers during storm Eunice

  Due to Storm Eunice our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol remains activated across Birmingham to help people sleeping rough.

  

  Published 18th February 2022.

• Major regeneration for Smethwick to Birmingham corridor

  The Smethwick to Birmingham Corridor Plan is going to cabinet for approval. It promotes a co-ordinated approach to regeneration and development.

  

  Published 3rd February 2022.

• Public offered a better way to help rough sleepers this winter

  The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Birmingham City Council have launched a new winter campaign to help rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless.

  

  Published 2nd December 2021.

• Birmingham City Council launches consultation on Private Rented Sector Strategy.

  The council is launching a consultation on private rented accommodation in the city.

  

  Published 12th November 2021.

• Cold weather and sleeping rough on the streets

  Cllr Sharon Thompson, Cabinet member for Homelessness, Vulnerable Children and Families, talks about helping people who sleep rough on the streets in cold weather this winter.

  

  Published 8th November 2021.

• Council secures successful prosecution against private letting agent Principal Homes who unlawfully evicted tenant

  Birmingham City Council has successfully prosecuted a private letting agent after they unlawfully evicted a tenant

  Published 27th October 2021.

• Council launches consultation on selective licensing scheme for private landlords at www.birminghambeheard.org.uk

  Following approval to pursue the introduction of a selective licensing scheme for privately rented housing across 25 of its wards, the Council is launching a 10-week consultation.

  Published 22nd October 2021.

• Birmingham City Council launches new Housing Advice and Mediation services on World Homelessness Day

  Birmingham City Council has launched a new Housing Advice and Mediation services ahead of World Homelessness Day on 10 October http://www.worldhomelessday.org/

  Published 8th October 2021.

• Kerslake Commission: “This is a pivotal moment – act now or risk a surge in homelessness”

  An influential independent group of cross-party politicians and experts from the health, housing and homelessness sectors has urged the Government to act quickly and decisively to avoid a surge in rough sleeping.

  Published 23rd September 2021.

• There's A Better Way campaign launched

  ‘There’s A Better Way’ campaign to tackle begging and promote giving launched at digital sites across the city

  

  Published 3rd September 2021.

• Birmingham City Council announces £62m investment in the sustainable supply of affordable homes

  Birmingham City Council has announced a £62m capital investment to increase the sustainable supply of affordable homes to prevent people from presenting as homeless.

  Published 29th July 2021.

• Birmingham moving to broadband fast lane

  Connectivity in Birmingham is set to move up a gear

  Published 1st July 2021.

• Council pledges to work with the residents of Druids Heath to develop a new masterplan for the estate

  Druids Heath residents are set to be given a greater say in the planned renewal of their south Birmingham housing estate

  Published 21st June 2021.

• Birmingham City Council and Switch Hospitality Management mark 10,000 lunch given to vulnerable families

  Birmingham City Council and Switch Hospitality Management (SWHM) are today marking the 10,000 lunch given to vulnerable families who are staying in properties in the SWHM portfolio.

  

  Published 19th March 2021.

• New Charter of Rights and Quality Standards for exempt supported housing launched

  Following a £1 million supported housing pilot with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Birmingham City Council (BCC) have

  

  Published 15th March 2021.

• Rough sleeping down by 67% in Birmingham

  Rough sleeping across Birmingham has reduced by two thirds thanks to the city’s response to the government's call for ‘Everyone In’ which began at the start of the pandemic last March.

  Published 25th February 2021.

• Supported accommodation housing pilot to be launched in Birmingham

  Today (Wednesday 21 October), Birmingham launches its supported housing pilot after receiving more than £1m (£1,048,244) of new funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

  Published 20th October 2020.

• Birmingham takes action against HMO landlord in first civil penalty case

  Birmingham City Council has issued its first civil penalty against a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) landlord in the Small Heath area.

  Published 2nd September 2019.

• Birmingham wins at property awards

  Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT), the council's housebuilding arm, won ‘Social Housing Developer of the Year' at the West Midlands Residential Property Awards on 20 June 2019.

  

  Published 21st June 2019.

• Birmingham reveals ten year housing plan

  The council’s housebuilding arm, Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT), has published plans to build 2,708 new homes by 2029.

  

  Published 14th May 2019.

• Birmingham celebrates at the UK Housing Awards

  Birmingham City Council and Engie are celebrating after winning a prestigious national award.

  

  Published 2nd May 2019.

• UK authorities come together in rallying call to government for sprinkler funding

  Birmingham City Council is leading a campaign for the Government to fund the retro-fitting of life-saving sprinklers in thousands of high-rise tower blocks across the country

  

  Published 27th March 2019.

• Housing-led Ladywood regeneration - latest announcement at MIPIM

  Birmingham City Council has announced plans to engage with investor and development partners to deliver major housing-led regeneration of Ladywood

  

  Published 13th March 2019.

• Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust celebrates ten years, with ten more homes

  Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) is celebrating its ten year anniversary with the completion of ten new homes.

  

  Published 15th February 2019.

• Birmingham announces major regeneration proposals for Ladywood

  Birmingham City Council has announced plans to take forward proposals for a housing led regeneration initiative for the Ladywood area.

  Published 12th February 2019.

• Birmingham gives go-ahead for first modular home

  Today, 17 January 2019, Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT), Birmingham City Council’s house-building arm, received planning permission to install its first modular home.

  

  Published 17th January 2019.

• Empty property premium to help tackle city housing supply

  Efforts to tackle the city’s housing shortage are set to be boosted by a proposal due before Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet on January 22.

  Published 16th January 2019.

• Croydon and Birmingham join forces over fire sprinkler funding call

  Birmingham City Council continued their call for Government to fund sprinklers in social housing nationwide after a visit today (Tuesday) to Croydon’s near-complete programme.

  

  Published 23rd October 2018.

• Landlord fined £37,111 for multiple housing regulation breaches

  On Thursday 30 August, David Greene, 64, of Brooke Lane, Billesley, has been prosecuted for numerous breaches of the House in Multiple Occupation Management Regulations.

  

  Published 31st August 2018.

• 3,000th new home built for Birmingham

  Birmingham City Council is celebrating the completion of the 3,000th home built through its award-winning house-building programme, Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT).

  

  Published 23rd July 2018.

• Birmingham comes in to bloom

  Birmingham City Council and the Housing Liaison Board are calling on all green-fingered council tenants and leaseholders, as they launch the annual Birmingham in Bloom competition.

  

  Published 29th June 2018.

• A hat trick of housing heroes are recognised in Birmingham

  Birmingham City Council (BCC) is celebrating after a highly successful evening at the prestigious 2018 Housing Heroes Awards in Manchester last night.

  

  Published 26th June 2018.

• Award-winning approach to repairs and maintenance

  Birmingham City Council and Wates Living Space are celebrating after winning a prestigious national award.

  

  Published 4th May 2018.

• Rogue landlord ordered to pay ground-breaking fine

  Leila Amjadi, aged 33, of Sutton Coldfield, was yesterday found guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court of 35 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) offences.

  

  Published 19th April 2018.

• Former council employee ordered to repay £20,000 in compensation

  Birmingham City Council has supported the successful prosecution of a former housing officer for fraud under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

  Published 28th March 2018.

• Website helping homeless people to make the right move

  Homeless people in Birmingham are just one click away from connecting with with local landlords thanks to a new website Homeless Rooms Birmingham .

  

  Published 15th January 2018.

• Doing things differently to prevent homelessness

  Cabinet will be asked to approve a new strategy for homelessness prevention on 12 December.

  Published 4th December 2017.

• Help us to help homeless people

  People can find themselves without a home for many different reasons – end of their tenancy agreement, breakdown in family relationships, domestic abuse, money problems and poor health.

  

  Published 25th September 2017.

• Birmingham landlord who didn’t care ordered to pay nearly £4k

  A Birmingham landlord was ordered to pay £3,860 at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (14 September 2017) for failing to obtain an HMO licence and for breaching management regulations.

  

  Published 14th September 2017.

• Turning garage sites and pubs into 131 new homes

  Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve a two year house-building programme worth nearly £19 million at a meeting on Wednesday 13 September.

  

  Published 8th September 2017.

• London landlord fined for Selly Oak student property

  A landlord from London was ordered to pay £4,485.17 at Birmingham Magistrates Court today for breaching legislation designed to protect student tenants at a property in Tiverton Road, Selly Oak.

  Published 17th August 2017.

• Tackling Brum’s housing shortage with creative thinking

  Cabinet has approved a raft of measures to address the housing shortage in Birmingham today (Tuesday 25 July) with three specialist housing reports.

  Published 25th July 2017.

• The way Birmingham allocates social housing is changing

  Birmingham is changing the way it allocates social housing.

  Published 6th February 2017.