Social housing funds set for 140 new city homes

Up to 140 new council homes in Wolverhampton will be designated as social housing, thanks to a £6m grant.

The funding is being used to convert properties on 14 development sites, and will help families out of temporary accommodation and off waiting lists, City of Wolverhampton council said.

The money is coming via a £40m social housing accelerator fund launched in 2025 by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, and is managed by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

"This additional funding from the WMCA will allow us to make a significant number of new council homes affordable for residents on low incomes," said cabinet member for housing, councillor Steve Evans.

The properties to be converted to social rent homes are either under construction or building work is due to start soon.

Rents for the new homes will fall in line with the existing council structure, said the authority, giving the example in Low Hill of a new two-bedroom property, which would cost £46.52 a week less than a property classed as being of affordable rent.

Social rent is the most affordable type of housing, and is made available at around 50% of the local market rent, the council said.

"We are committed to driving the construction of more affordable housing and these social rent homes will have a huge impact," said Evans.

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