About the programme
Delivering a new generation of council homes for our community
We have an ambitious home-building programme that is delivering the first new council homes in a generation, with as many as possible built on existing council-owned land.
Our aim is to build 3,000 new high-quality council homes by 2031 and work has already started or been completed on more than 2,000 homes across Haringey. This is an important priority for our borough, as for many of those in the greatest need, a council home offers their only real chance to put down roots in Haringey.
Sustainability
All our new homes are built where possible from sustainable materials, are well-insulated and energy-efficient. This can include innovative air source heat pumps, solar panels and the provision of energy-efficient appliances. Our developments aim to achieve a net carbon-zero footprint and, where possible, seek to deliver enhanced green spaces and biodiversity improvements that benefit the whole community. This can involve extensive high-quality landscaping, new tree planting, bat-bird boxes and green roofs.
Each new development will be built to the highest possible standards, with spacious rooms in our homes and security provisions in our blocks to prevent crime.
Bespoke homes
An important part of our needs-led approach to solving the housing crisis in Haringey is the bespoke home programme: this involves our expert housing team co-designing individual new homes to meet the needs of residents with specific complex disabilities or other health related challenges.
Around a third of residents in the greatest need on our housing waiting list have a disability, or a family member with a disability, currently living in homes that are overcrowded or do not meet their medical requirements.
To address this important demand, one in five of our new homes will be wheelchair accessible and/or adaptable. In many of our developments, we are proposing blue badge spaces for vehicles to support families who require home based care or accessible parking provision.
For many residents with specific health needs, the Council will aim to incorporate specific adaptations for households. This can involve shaping the design of the homes to the direct requirements of an individual or their family, including the layout of the rooms, the placing of interior walls and the adaptability of bathrooms. At the heart of the bespoke programme is co-operation and partnership with residents, who are involved in discussions at an early stage of the housing design process to ensure their future home is fit for purpose.
Supporting vulnerable residents
Our programme includes supported housing for vulnerable groups in our borough who need help in their homes for a variety of reasons. In October 2021, we became the first borough in London to deliver new modular housing for residents with a history of homelessness and rough sleeping at Olive Morris Court. This new development offers on-site support to help residents move into independent living, including employment and health-related advice.
We will also be delivering new homes, for example at Kerswell Close, for older residents who require help around their homes, while at Barbara Hucklesbury Close, the development will provide care for residents with mental health needs. Other projects are looking to provide accommodation specifically for young people.
With placemaking being central to our approach, many of our schemes are designed with welcoming, green communal areas, such as tree-lined courtyards and quiet gardens. Offices and facilities for care staff are also provided on-site in some cases to help bring support closer to residents.
Award winning team
We have a team of 40 development professionals, technical specialists, engagement experts and experienced council staff building our first council homes in a generation.
Our housing delivery team is award-winning and has received various awards for housing delivery schemes including Inside Housing's 'Best Development Team – Urban, 2023'.
We also have a ‘grow your own’ employment and training initiative which combines on-the-job learning, mentoring and shadowing with formal training. One of the first cohorts, a local resident, was named Woman of the Future at the Women in Housing Awards 2022.
