Member Article

Sandwell Council appoints Keepmoat to improve hundreds of homes

National housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat has been appointed to carry out a major programme of improvements on behalf of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

Three high-rise blocks of flats in Smethwick, known as The Crofts, will receive an £11m makeover as part of the partnership between Keepmoat and the council. The blocks will get new roofs, energy efficient external cladding and residents’ flats will benefit from new windows and balconies.

The 270 homes which will benefit from the improvements, sit on a main arterial route between Birmingham and West Bromwich. The works are set to change the external of the buildings with a refreshed look, which will not only improve the aesthetics for the community but also help to reduce fuel bills for the residents and increase the lifespan of the buildings themselves.

The wider community is also set to benefit from the two year scheme with employment and training opportunities created by Keepmoat. As part of this commitment there is provision for 12 apprenticeships as well as a graduate position and work experience placements for over 16s looking to kick start their career in the construction industry. As a result of these works a further five jobs will also be created on site, which will again be recruited locally.

Keepmoat has also been appointed to deliver a range of internal improvements including: kitchen and bathroom upgrades and rewires, new boiler installs and decoration works to void properties following Sandwell Council’s appointment of Keepmoat under a two-year refurbishment framework.

The works will improve the quality of people’s homes as well as making them more energy efficient.

Neil Baxter, Keepmoat’s Regional Director for the West Midlands, said: “We’re looking forward to working closely with Sandwell over the next two years to help the council deliver its ambitions to improve the quality of local housing for residents.

“Improving the standard of housing is crucial for delivering community regeneration and this comprehensive programme of work will make a real difference to people’s homes.”

Keepmoat is one of the UK’s leading community regeneration specialists. It works with local authorities and social housing providers across the country to carry out major housing refurbishment programmes. Over the last five years Keepmoat has refurbished more than 22,500 home throughout the West Midlands.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said “This refurbishment is one of a number of regeneration projects the council is delivering with our partners to boost the area and will complement nearby new build developments as well as the recently announced plans for the new hospital.”

“In addition to improving the quality of housing for hundreds of tenants we are also generating much needed employment and apprenticeship opportunities through our partnership with Keepmoat.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Walker .