Tenants living in overcrowded accommodation are some of the first to benefit from a host of new affordable properties being built and managed by Islington Council's social landlord housing partners.
The Council is taking the initiative in housing, working with over 12 registered social landlords (RSLs) across the borough to deliver brand new, family-sized homes for those on Islington's housing waiting list.
It's also building council housing again for the first time in 25 years.
One of the first to move into her new home is new mum Maznun Nahar who has collected the keys to a two bedroomed apartment in Birnham Road, N4 built and managed by RSL Affinity Sutton. Hers is one of seven homes created on the site of a disused car park on Finsbury Park's Andover Estate.
Visiting Mrs Nahar to welcome her into her new home, Cllr Terry Stacy, Executive Member for Housing, Islington Council said:
"These new affordable homes are coming on stream at precisely the right time to help hard pressed overcrowed families on our waiting list.
"The Council and local housing associations continue to offer a real solution for many and we'll keep working hard to maximise the number of new homes available to those in need.
"In addition to securing housing association properties for its tenants, we're building council housing again for the first time in a generation, giving many more young Islington families a better start in life."
The £1.3M Andover Park scheme comprises three four-storey townhouses and four two-bedroom flats providing much-needed affordable family homes. The ground floor flat is also fully wheelchair accessible.
The award-winning green design by architects Pollard Thomas Edwards Associates, features green roofs, terraces and gardens and the highest energy efficiency rating thanks to state-of-the-art construction technology.
Andrew Sodje, regional manager for William Sutton Homes, said: "We are all very proud of this development which provides good quality affordable homes in one of London’s more expensive boroughs."
Affinity Sutton tenant Mrs Nahar said: "I feel really lucky to have a brand new flat locally. My parents live on the Andover estate and I really needed to be close to them and also to my work. The flat really is very nice."
In addition to securing housing association properties for its tenants, last year Islington Council announced it was going to start building council housing again for the first time in a generation. New homes at Boleyn Road, N16 and Armour Close, N7 will be completed and let this year.
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009