Tower Hamlets spends over a million revamping new homes

Tower Hamlets has pumped over a million pounds into boosting the number of affordable homes, it has been announced.

Tower Hamlets Council has put £1.7 million into the refurbishment of eleven derelict homes in order to create new family houses for social renting.

According to the local authority, the properties had fallen into disrepair due to the lack of development funds being made available to councils across the UK.

The homes had previously been leased to a local housing association. However, last year the councils decided to take possession of the properties and made funding available to refurbish them and bring them back as council housing.

Under this new scheme, not only will some of the existing properties be revamped, but it will also deliver nine three-bedroom houses and two additional large family homes for letting to families in the borough who have a high need for social housing.

The council also revealed that the homes will be let at the council’s social target rent levels.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “Housing is a key priority for Tower Hamlets, and I will continue to make use of all our available properties in order to provide housing for our residents.”

Some of the homes have already been revamped, ready to let out to tenants who were on the council waiting list.

In addition, work on three extra properties is expected to be completed in early August and the rest will be completed during the course of the year.

All of the homes have been redecorated and are set to include new bathrooms, kitchens, rooftops and windows.

Commenting on the developments, councillor Rabina Khan, cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: “This is a fantastic project. We’ve brought these council properties back into use, to become high-quality council-run family homes for our residents”.

Published 7th August, 2014

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