Published by Blakes for more
than a quarter of a century
than a quarter of a century
Urban Living (Birmingham & Sandwell)
Birmingham Sandwell Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder
Considering that nine out of the 10 wards within Urban Living - the Birmingham Sandwell Pathfinder area - are in the top 10 per cent of the most deprived wards in the country, the fulfilment of its vision "to create diverse, cohesive and flourishing multicultural neighbourhoods with their own attractions and characteristics that make people want to live, work, invest and spend their leisure time in the area" poses a significant challenge to partners to build on the relationship between a thriving economy and sustainable communities.
The housing market in this Pathfinder area has not yet completely failed in an obvious and widespread way, but is a picture of weak housing markets, tired housing stock and with varying levels of public services. Consequently, a programme of interventions has been developed through a twin-track partnership approach. Catalytic projects linked to economic opportunities will have a major impact on the area. Neighbourhood sustainability will be delivered through a range of initiatives that respond to key housing market issues and promote a sense of place and purpose.
The programme is not just about housing but also about aligning with other regeneration activities in education, health, community safety and access to jobs in order to further ensure the delivery of sustainable communities.
The ODPM has awarded ?50.016mn funding to Urban Living to deliver their early programme that will run till March 2006. "This will be complemented by extra funding from key partners and enable Urban Living to make a substantial difference in the housing market and creating sustainable communities in the longer term," remarked Margaret Jackson, Director of Urban Living.
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, commented: "The ?50mn programme will enable a start to be made on an important housing-led regeneration agenda that will create places where people want to invest in the future". Bill Thomas, Leader of Sandwell MBC said, "This programme will make an enduring mark on the area and build on its traditional character and diversity".
The long-term 15-year programme will enable 12,000 new homes to be built, 25,565 homes to be refurbished, 6,000 homes to be demolished, facilitate new management measures to 30,000 homes, increase owner occupation to 65 per cent and increase the population by 10 per cent.
Urban Living has already supported a range of initiatives as part of its ?4mn Early Action Programme, including strategic acquisitions and demolitions in order to start restructuring the housing market, revitalising neighbourhoods by bringing homes back into use and de-converting flats back into large family homes. Innovative approaches are also being piloted, such as refurbishing homes with eco-friendly features.
Birmingham and Sandwell have received support at senior levels to pave the way forward by using the innovative approach of setting joint local authority targets to be achieved. This shows how eager Birmingham CC and Sandwell MBC are to work together and their belief that the true alignment of programmes and services is crucial to the effective delivery of the market renewal programme.
The housing market in this Pathfinder area has not yet completely failed in an obvious and widespread way, but is a picture of weak housing markets, tired housing stock and with varying levels of public services. Consequently, a programme of interventions has been developed through a twin-track partnership approach. Catalytic projects linked to economic opportunities will have a major impact on the area. Neighbourhood sustainability will be delivered through a range of initiatives that respond to key housing market issues and promote a sense of place and purpose.
The programme is not just about housing but also about aligning with other regeneration activities in education, health, community safety and access to jobs in order to further ensure the delivery of sustainable communities.
The ODPM has awarded ?50.016mn funding to Urban Living to deliver their early programme that will run till March 2006. "This will be complemented by extra funding from key partners and enable Urban Living to make a substantial difference in the housing market and creating sustainable communities in the longer term," remarked Margaret Jackson, Director of Urban Living.
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, commented: "The ?50mn programme will enable a start to be made on an important housing-led regeneration agenda that will create places where people want to invest in the future". Bill Thomas, Leader of Sandwell MBC said, "This programme will make an enduring mark on the area and build on its traditional character and diversity".
The long-term 15-year programme will enable 12,000 new homes to be built, 25,565 homes to be refurbished, 6,000 homes to be demolished, facilitate new management measures to 30,000 homes, increase owner occupation to 65 per cent and increase the population by 10 per cent.
Urban Living has already supported a range of initiatives as part of its ?4mn Early Action Programme, including strategic acquisitions and demolitions in order to start restructuring the housing market, revitalising neighbourhoods by bringing homes back into use and de-converting flats back into large family homes. Innovative approaches are also being piloted, such as refurbishing homes with eco-friendly features.
Birmingham and Sandwell have received support at senior levels to pave the way forward by using the innovative approach of setting joint local authority targets to be achieved. This shows how eager Birmingham CC and Sandwell MBC are to work together and their belief that the true alignment of programmes and services is crucial to the effective delivery of the market renewal programme.
Margaret Jackson
Director, Urban Living
Copyright © 2005 Blake.