£22m grant to bring hundreds of affordable homes to the Black Country
Hundreds of much-needed affordable homes are set to be built in the Black Country in the next four years following a £22 million investment.
whg, one of the region's largest housing providers, has confirmed it has been successful in applying for a substantial Government grant.
The Walsall-based group has now vowed to build 751 homes between now and 2021.
whg has confirmed the Black Country will see around 200 of the new properties, while the rest will be delivered in Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
The company has already confirmed its first schemes will begin in Walsall and South Staffordshire in April.
In total 188 homes will be built across the four areas in the first two years.
Mark Tranter, whg director of development, said: "We are delighted that we have been successful in this bid which will see more high-quality affordable properties built in the Midlands.
"The successful outcome of our bid has enabled us to secure funding for a significant proportion of our future new build growth programme, extend the range of our new housing offer and expand our Shared Ownership portfolio.
"The funding will also include rent to buy homes, which will allow our customers to rent a property whilst saving for a deposit to buy their first home.
"We are working with high quality developers to get people into brand new homes at affordable prices."
News of any forthcoming housing developments in Wolverhampton is likely to be welcomed.
Last month it was revealed the city council had more than 8,300 people on the housing waiting list for around 70 available homes.
Just 1,042 affordable homes were built in Wolverhampton between 2006 and 2014.
The situation prompted Graiseley Councillor Elias Mattu to declare there was a 'chronic shortage' of housing.
While in Walsall it was reported in April that there were more than 8,600 people waiting for a home.
Not-for-profit whg is one of the largest housing providers in the Midlands, housing more than 40,000 people in around 20,000 homes.
The firm has a presence in 11 local authority areas, including all Black Country councils and South Staffordshire.
The latest grant will see an expansion to whg's development programme which has delivered 2,000 homes during the past four years.
