Under one roof: Cllr Roger Harmer explains some of the housing challenges in Birmingham

A cabinet meeting this week saw a heavy focus on the City’s future housing plans. As a long-standing councillor, and a former member of the housing scrutiny panel, Cllr Roger Harmer has a deep understanding of the city’s housing problems and their impacts.

On the rising number of people in temporary accommodation

“The number of people in temporary accommodations has risen well over 17,000 in recent months. Anecdotally, we know that standards can be very bad, but there are also problems caused by people being displaced from their community, schools, families and workplaces often without enough space, or even cooking facilities.

“To be clear, I pin most of the blame for the TA crisis on Government housing policy over the past 40 years, but until we get a big and most importantly prolonged investment in new socially rented housing this problem will not be resolved.”

On the need for more socially rented homes

“We hear a lot about affordable homes, but the truth is that often they are not affordable to those in most need. It’s a misnomer. We have lost social housing year on year because of the way that right to buy operates. It’s vital that we get more homes built, especially larger, family homes which are in shortest supply.

On the poor standard of council rented homes

“The standard of housing has been a deepening problem for some time. Whilst cities like Leeds and Sheffield still enjoy 99% decency, just 61% of homes in Birmingham meet this basic standard. Investment to improve quality standards is important, but we also desperately need more housing.

On the need for proper management of social housing tenants

“There’s a serious problem with poorly managed tower blocks. Where you place tenants with chronic alcoholism and drug abuse, whose condition you can't or don't manage effectively, the effects will be disastrous. This is felt most keenly in blocks made up of elderly vulnerable sheltered residents.

“Some years ago, the CCTV from social housing blocks was removed. This caused anxiety among residents and problems that were harder to diagnose with a lack of evidence. I am pleased that CCTV will be reinstated in some of the tower blocks in the city. This needs to happen at pace.

On the need for good communications with social housing providers

“It is really important that the council seeks to increase engagement with registered housing providers and addresses issues swiftly. Some providers have grown quickly, through mergers and in that process go from being a responsive small provider to one that is large, and difficult to deal with. They do the bare minimum. A better relationship during build and ongoing management will secure better outcomes for tenants and local residents.”

On improved energy efficiency

“I welcome the increased emphasis on energy efficiency work. It is vital in terms of the health and comfort of our tenants and their financial security - as well of course of helping to tackle climate change.”

On compensation for poor quality rented housing

“I have often pursued casework relating to compensation and been appalled by the slow pace of handling simple claims, where it’s obvious that the Council is liable and inevitably, they pay up. The cost of the process, and delays, becomes bigger than the claim itself. I welcome a process that will give our tenants the compensation they deserve when the need arises.”