City of Wolverhampton Council in the UK has announced plans to invest £98m ($119.7m) over the next five years, aimed at delivering approximately 500 homes.
This initiative is a key component of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, which was recently approved and is now set for deliberation at the Full Council meeting.
In addition to funding new-build developments, the council’s Capital Programme for 2025-2030 will allocate £67m for remodelling local estates such as New Park Village and £82m for improvements to high-rise estates, focusing on building safety, infrastructure replacement, and energy efficiency.
A further £110m will be earmarked to enhance the internal standards of properties, including the refurbishment of void properties.
The new-build programme features £26.5m designated for the upcoming phase of new homes at Heath Town, which includes the construction of 160 homes, supplementing the 40 homes already completed.
Wolverhampton Homes, which manages approximately 21,000 homes on behalf of the council, is overseeing the refurbishment of the Heath Town estate.
This project, with a budget of £30m, is set to complete improvements on eight tower blocks by 2027, including window replacement, external wall insulation, structural repairs, and safety enhancements.
Additionally, a new low-carbon energy centre is being developed to support the council’s commitment to decarbonisation.
Planning permission has also been granted for the construction of 99 new energy-efficient council bungalows at the Lincoln Green Estate in Bushbury, replacing 93 prefabs.
This initiative is part of the council’s broader strategy to address 4,100 homes built using old, nontraditional construction methods, with community consultation playing a pivotal role.
Keon Homes, a house builder operating across the Midlands in England, has been selected through the council’s housing framework as the construction partner for the new homes at the Lincoln Green Estate. Construction is set to commence in early 2025.
City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader, councillor, and cabinet member for City Housing Steve Evans said: “We have major plans on-site or planned across Wolverhampton, delivering better-connected communities where everyone has the chance to benefit from new opportunities.
“Of course, these plans are set against the backdrop of increasing pressures on the HRA year on year and without national reform of the HRA system delivering medium- and longer-term objectives is going to be very challenging, which is why England’s 20 largest council landlords, including City of Wolverhampton Council, have collectively developed proposals on national financing and policy, to stabilise HRAs and enable them to operate efficiently and effectively.”
