A £17m regeneration programme has been announced for the Birmingham and Sandwell region and is to be completed in the next 12 months by Urban Living, the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder for the area.

The funds will be used to further develop projects that will focus on the provision of more affordable housing and support mixed communities.

Adnan Saif, chief executive of Urban Living, said: "Over the last year, weve made significant progress and have succeeded in delivering a targeted programme of regeneration activity which has seen almost £20m invested in the Birmingham and Sandwell area.

"We have already approved projects worth at least £17m for delivery in 2010/2011 and our aim is to make a real impact by blending community engagement and cohesion with neighbourhood renewal and regeneration."

Sites that have already been cleared for future redevelopment like Crocodile Works in Newtown and The Lyng Estate in West Bromwich, where work is underway to develop around 600 new much-needed homes, have been included by Urban Living along with the continuation of its refurbishment programme to bring homes back into use. An allocation of £500,000 has also been assigned to community cohesion projects.

Saif said: "Effective regeneration cannot happen without the full engagement of the communities and people involved. By involving people in the development and delivery of plans for their neighbourhoods, you create a sense of belonging and shared civic pride. Thats why were putting a continued emphasis on its importance and encouraging people to get involved in transforming their neighbourhoods."

In North West Birmingham activities will centre on the revitalisation of Newtown and Lozells whilst in Sandwell the programme will see the completion of the Windmill Eye masterplan and the construction of new homes in Greets Green and Eastern Gateway.