Thousands of tenants in Birmingham are now benefiting from what the council says is the country's biggest programme of investment in council homes.

Since 2024, Birmingham City Council has invested more than £600m as part of a £1.6bn plan to improve its housing stock.

Over the past year alone, 35,000 improvements have been delivered across 6,000 properties, with around 50 kitchens and 50 bathrooms refurbished each week, and many residents seeing lower energy bills.

The works are making homes warmer, safer, more comfortable and more sustainable. Stacey, a resident of the refurbished Bromford estate who had previously struggled to heat her home, is among those benefiting.

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Stacey said: "I've lived in my home for almost 19 years. But the heating issues meant I'd make it all lovely inside and it still wouldn't be comfortable. It was like a losing battle.

"With the new windows installed, I can heat it up instantly and it actually stays cosy. While enclosing the ground-floor balcony means I no longer feel vulnerable to passersby. I've actually transformed the space into my very own home office – free from distractions at last!

"And with everything looking new and fresh, people are taking better care of the area. It's brought the community together."

The council's cabinet is due to sign off continued record investment in council homes, with the aim of achieving 100% Decent Homes Standards compliance by 2032.

The programme is funded through the ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account, mainly supported by tenant and leaseholder rents, meaning the council's finances will not affect this programme.