The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is set to invest more than £18 million in a pilot Supported Housing Funding Programme aimed at tackling homelessness in Birmingham and Coventry. These two cities were chosen by the government earlier this year, identified as areas with significant homelessness demand.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Simkins has urged that the pilot be expanded beyond just Birmingham and Coventry to encompass the entire West Midlands region. He warned that limiting the programme to two cities risks creating a “stampede” of people moving to these locations, placing undue pressure on their local services.
The funding, totaling £18,266,172, allocates over £13.4 million to Birmingham and more than £4.4 million to Coventry. Additionally, £395,000 will remain with the WMCA to coordinate and oversee supported housing needs across the wider region.
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Supported housing combines accommodation with tailored support for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping, helping them to live independently.
Councillor Simkins emphasized the importance of monitoring the pilot’s effectiveness through quarterly reports, especially to understand its impact on neighboring authorities. He stressed the need for a strategic, region-wide approach—covering all seven metropolitan authorities—to properly address homelessness rather than concentrating resources in just two cities.
“To truly solve homelessness, we must build homes,” Simkins stated, highlighting that sustainable solutions require a broader understanding of regional housing capacity and service implications.
Ultimately, the goal is to assess outcomes that demonstrate real changes in people’s lives and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of services in Birmingham and Coventry.