whg marks 23 years with £1 billion invested in Walsall homes and neighbourhoods 

Long term social landlord and placeshaper whg is marking its 23^rd anniversary by reaching a major milestone – investing more than £1 billion in its existing homes and neighbourhoods across Walsall since it was launched. 

A significant proportion of this investment has been focused on improving existing homes, with £75 million invested in the last year alone to maintain, upgrade and modernise properties for customers in the borough.  

Established in March 2003, whg has spent more than two decades investing in Walsall, improving the quality, safety and sustainability of existing homes, alongside building new affordable housing and supporting local communities. 

Over that time, the landlord has built more than 2,500 new homes in Walsall, representing an additional investment of over £600 million. This has been balanced with sustained, long-term investment in existing homes through repairs, maintenance and major improvement works. 

Major regeneration work has also played a key role in transforming neighbourhoods, including building almost 1,000 homes in Goscote and 324 at Lockside, alongside £50 million invested in six wellbeing schemes supporting older residents in Walsall. 

This long-term commitment to Walsall has provided the foundation for wider growth, with whg now delivering new homes and regeneration across the Midlands. 

CEO Gary Fulford said: “Reaching £1 billion of investment in Walsall is an important milestone, but what matters most is the difference it makes to people’s lives. 

“We have invested in improving customers’ existing homes, making sure they are safe, good quality and fit for the future. 

“At the same time, we are continuing to build new affordable homes for those who need them most and sustaining tenancies through a range of support services to reduce homelessness. It is about getting that balance right – investing in our existing homes and communities, while helping to meet growing housing demand. 

“With demand continuing to grow, our role has never been more important. That is why we are looking ahead, including exploring our proposed merger with Aspire Housing, to make sure we are in the strongest possible position to invest more, build more homes and provide even better support for our customers and communities in the years ahead.” 

Since expanding beyond Walsall, whg now manages homes across 24 local authority areas and has plans to develop more homes in Walsall and across the wider West Midlands over the coming years. The organisation employs more than 850 colleagues, with the majority living in Walsall, and has been recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work and a Financial Times Best Employer. 

Building on its success in Walsall, whg opened its first wellbeing scheme outside the borough at the historic former Royal Hospital site in Wolverhampton in 2025. 

whg is currently exploring a proposed merger with Aspire Housing, which would create a new organisation managing around 32,000 homes. The proposal is a proactive step to strengthen long-term resilience and ensure both organisations are in the strongest possible position to respond to increasing demand, rising costs and a more challenging operating environment.