Empty Commonwealth Games flats in Perry Barr 'unacceptable', say local people
It's as Birmingham City Council hold a cabinet meeting today to discuss the residential scheme
People in Perry Barr - including a local councillor - are telling us they're disappointed that the 968 flats built for the Commonwealth Games are still sitting empty two and a half years after being built.
It comes as Birmingham City Council plan to discuss the legacy project from the 2022 Games in a cabinet meeting today.
Delays due to the Covid pandemic meant the flats weren't completed in time for the Games, but have been sitting empty since they were completed in April 2023.
We spoke to people in the local area, including one woman who is disappointed with the situation.
"They shouldn't be empty because there's so many homeless people waiting on the housing list, I should imagine.
"They should get them filled."
A man we spoke to feels strongly the flats should be occupied.
"Obviously it's not acceptable. It's cost the taxpayer quite a lot of money, and something needs to be done about it.
"Especially when you think there are so many homeless people out there, and so many people wanting to buy their first home", he said.
"Birmingham City Council should be able to resolve the situation but it seems to be going on and on and on."
He told us how he thinks it would benefit Perry Barr.
"It would be good for local businesses and would make the area more vibrant."
We also spoke to the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Perry Barr, Morriam Jan.
She has been vocal about her frustration at the empty flats, and had this advice for the council:
"Make it more affordable for first time buyers, because it's important we get people on that housing ladder.
"Housing is a massive crisis in our city and this should have been moving food for people that want to buy their own place."
She said the council could make the project a success by working with local councillors.
"All we're asking is for them to listen. Everything that we want is for the community.
"We know as ward councillors what works for local people and what doesn't work - so they should talk to us."
Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Birmingham City Council, said:
“The report lays out difficult lessons the organisation needs to learn, and we welcome the views and recommendations from the commissioners.
“Birmingham City Council is being transformed, and its governance processes are being strengthened to ensure that members get the best professional advice, ensuring that these mistakes are not repeated.
“We now have the senior leadership team in place to deliver this transformation and are committed to ensuring that Birmingham City Council becomes a financially sustainable, well-run council that delivers good services to citizens.
“The Perry Barr residential scheme will still deliver much-needed homes for the north-west of the city, with high-quality homes for rent and sale. Crucially, many of these new homes will be affordable homes.
"The recent deal with Legal & General Affordable Homes will ensure that double the number of affordable homes set out in the planning application will be provided.”