Birmingham City Council's Cabinet has approved £57.8 million budget for investment in council properties this year which will contribute to a better quality of life for Birmingham citizens.

Since 2004, the council has invested in excess of £700 million in council housing, with a majority of properties benefiting from improved heating and modern facilities. To date, 28,800 new windows have been fitted and over 22,000 properties have benefited from the installation of central heating.

Last year, the council was one of the few local authorities to meet the government’s target to achieve decent homes standard on 95% of council homes. Currently, 99% of council properties meet decent homes standard.

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This year tenants have once again supported the prioritisation of central heating and double glazed windows in their homes through local Housing Liaison Boards (HLBs).

Central heating and window replacement together with cavity wall and roof insulation radically improve the thermal efficiency of the property and assist in reducing fuel poverty which means more available money to spend within some of the city’s poorest and vulnerable neighbourhoods.

A raft of improvements such as energy efficient heating installation and the installation of pvcu double glazed windows are essential components of next year's budget.

In addition much needed structural improvements will be carried out to a number of tower bocks and other council properties across the city to secure their long term future.