More than 100 social houses in Birmingham are set to be upgraded after a nearly £1 million grant award. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has allocated £900,000 to Bournville Village Trust to boost energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower costs for tenants.
Investment and Matching Funds
The charitable trust will match the funding, resulting in a total investment of £1.8 million to improve at least 118 of its homes. This initiative aims to make properties warmer and more affordable to heat.
Background of Bournville Village Trust
Founded by social reformer and chocolate maker George Cadbury in 1900, the trust operates in over a dozen diverse communities across south and central Birmingham and Telford. It manages 3,700 social rented homes and provides services to 25,000 people.
Mayor's Statement
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker emphasized the importance of the investment, stating: "Too many working families are living in homes that cost a fortune to heat and still don't keep them warm enough. This investment means lower bills, warmer homes, and less worry for hundreds of families." He added that George Cadbury's principle of decent homes and quality of life for working people still matters today.
WMCA Energy Efficiency Fund
The WMCA grant is part of a larger £167 million energy efficiency fund from the government, aimed at upgrading 15,000 of the oldest and coldest social and privately-owned homes across the region. An additional 532 homes are expected to undergo improvement works in the next two years, self-funded by Bournville Village Trust, bringing the total number of homes benefiting from the warm homes programme to 650.
Previous Investments
The trust has already invested over £14 million since 2024 on improving its social rented homes, including fitting over 1,000 new doors, new windows to more than 450 properties, new boilers to over 300 homes, nearly 450 new kitchens, and over 200 new bathrooms.
Chief Executive's Comments
Pete Richmond, chief executive of Bournville Village Trust, said: "Over the last two years we have invested millions of pounds on improving our social rented homes. This year alone, we will spend nearly £8m on fitting new doors, windows, boilers, kitchens, and bathrooms. This grant will help us take the next step in improving energy efficiency, making homes warmer and cheaper to heat."
