Refugees are not the problem when it comes to housing crisis
compulsory purchase orders have been used.
The housing developers also have a role in this. Last year we found that there were about 6,000 homes with planning permission which have yet to be built – 36,000 across the West Midlands as whole.
In some cases developers genuinely struggle to raise the capital to build.
But in others they sit on land to restrict supply of houses in an area or speculate on a future growth in property prices.
Again those 6,000 homes would make a huge difference – possibly wipe out the housing waiting list.
And finally, the recently approved Birmingham Development Plan has identified sites for a further 51,000 (including the controversial 6,000 on the green belt at Sutton Coldfield). So Birmingham is by no means full.
Compared to the scale of the homelessness and housing problems, 50 Syrians in Birmingham is a drop in the ocean
Of course, development needs to go arm in arm with extensions to schools, adequate health services and crucially jobs.
So the development plan also sets aside land for industrial and commercial development.
Compared to the scale of the homelessness and housing problems, 50 Syrians in Birmingham is a drop in the ocean. It is not a case either/or – it can be both if the will is there. IT took Birmingham more than a decade to get over the marketing disaster that was ‘Winterval’ – and the council can claim its reputation as the authority which tried to cancel Christmas was actaully unjustified. But this year its IT provider has re-ignited those memories for some councillors by blocking electronic Christmas cards – telling one member that these messages from constituents and community organisations are apparently “not work related”. Edgbaston councillor Deirdre Alden, for example, found her festive message from landlord Calthorpe Estates withheld in this way. She said: “They are acting like Scrooge, and I feel like Bob Cratchit asking if I can please see the Christmas card I’ve been sent – and being continually refused.” Quite.