Funding to enable construction to begin on 400 new council homes across Hackney has been approved by the borough’s cabinet, marking a significant step forward in the council’s housebuilding programme.
The approved funding will allow work to start on 14 council-owned sites, including underused garages and derelict office buildings. Planned developments include nine new terraced houses on the Nye Bevan Estate, energy-efficient homes at Morris Blitz Court, and a new block of 18 homes replacing garages at Blackwell Close in Clapton.
At least 300 of the new homes will be delivered at council social rent. Funding for the programme will be provided through a combination of the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Fund and direct council investment.
Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, said: “This is another milestone in our mission to deliver 1,000 new council homes for social rent across Hackney, which will see spades in the ground on 400 new homes.
“We’re building some of the best new council homes in the country. They’re spacious, energy efficient, designed in partnership with communities and, most importantly of all, local people always get first dibs.
“I’m proud of our record, but we know there’s more to do, which is why we want to expand our housing programmes to build and buy back thousands more for the people in desperate need of somewhere to call home.”
The council is currently delivering 972 new council homes across Hackney, despite rising construction costs and the impact of new building regulations. Delivering a single council home in London now costs more than £500,000, presenting ongoing financial challenges for local authorities.
All new homes delivered through the programme are prioritised for residents most in need, with local people given first priority. Developments are designed in partnership with communities to ensure they reflect local character and needs, and the council’s housing programme has received multiple industry awards, including the RIBA Neave Brown Award for the best social housing in the UK.
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