New West Midlands partnership to deliver affordable homes

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has struck a deal with five of the region’s leading housing associations to increase the number of affordable homes.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the WMCA and five members of the West Midlands Housing Association Partnership (WMHAP) to develop a business case for driving affordable housing developments, economic activity and housing policy objectives. 

The memorandum includes Accord Housing Association Limited, Bromford Housing Group, Citizen Housing Group Limited, Midland Heart Limited and whg (Walsall Housing Group Limited).

It will operate via the WMCA’s Single Commissioning Framework, which provides a single set of criteria applied to all housing projects receiving funding from the combined authority. 

The next stage for the collaboration is to work up the detailed business case for the CDV’s establishment.

‘This ground-breaking new partnership brings the WMCA together with the combined expertise and resources of five of the largest housing associations within the WMHAP with the aim of providing even more affordable homes for the people of the West Midlands,’ said West Midlands mayor, Andy Street.

‘Our region has led the way on housebuilding with record numbers in recent years, but our focus now is on how we build even more homes that are truly affordable. Alongside our new definition of affordability, which links to income rather than the market rate, this partnership will help do exactly that.’

Cllr Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council and WMCA portfolio holder for housing and land, added: ‘This coalition is central to our mission to utilise our stock of brownfield land to deliver inclusive growth and affordable homes.  

‘A key goal is to establish the region as the national leader in unlocking challenging brownfield sites, especially along key transport corridors and using them to create vibrant new communities that offer good quality, affordable homes for local people.

‘By injecting new life into derelict sites, we can help protect our Green Belt and drive an economic recovery that benefits all our communities.’

Photo Credit – Skitterphotos (Pixabay)