Birmingham is desperate for affordable homes - will promises be delivered.

“The housing situation in Birmingham is grave” said Cllr Roger Harmer, as he responded to the comments made on housing in today’s budget statement.

“Let’s be clear. At present, we have got 25,000 people living in exempt accommodation which is a sector that is in dire need of regulation in order to protect vulnerable tenants and local communities. 

“We also have around 20,000 people in temporary accommodation; and the quality of some of that accommodation is truly shocking. Birmingham has lost so much of it’s housing stocks to right to buy, without investing in replacements. At the same time, the population has increased significantly, putting extra pressure on school places and health services.”

“I welcome the re-iteration today to build 1.5 million homes nationwide, and the commitment to affordable homes. Support for small house builders, and investment to renovate brownfield areas would be beneficial. The decision to reduce right to buy discounts is necessary step given decades of losses of council houses.”

In today’s budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a real terms increase for local government plus £230M to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

Cllr Harmer added “£230M sounds like a lot of money, but that’s a national budget, and Birmingham could easily eat up that funding alone. Granted, Birmingham and Manchester will be among the first to benefit from funding to tackle the problem, but it continues to feel like this Labour Government are merely tinkering with the bolts as the Titanic goes down.”