110 new social homes to be built in borough where 10,000 people wait on housing list

A “spade in the ground” event marked the start of a project to build 110 much-needed new social homes in Lewisham.

The need to build more homes comes as more than 10,000 people are on the housing register in the borough waiting for social housing.

The project’s construction work will take place at the Mais House and Otto Close Garages sites on the Sydenham Hill Estate – run by social housing landlord The City Corporation.

The new homes will be a mixture of one, two, three, and four-bedroom properties. The project also includes a community room, an estate office, a play space for families, and “ecological enhancements”. 

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s community and children’s services committee, Ruby Sayed, said: “Today marks the start of a very exciting project, one that will deliver more than 100 affordable homes.

“High housing costs are a threat to the capital’s competitiveness and the ability of London’s businesses to attract and retain the workforce it needs.

“Working closely with London’s boroughs we can build exciting new social homes that benefit residents for years to come.”

The City Corporation manages 12 housing estates across London. 

These include ten in Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Hackney, Islington, and Tower Hamlets, and two in the City of London – making them responsible for 3,100 social housing residents. 

The corporation also has 910 people on its waiting list.

Councillor Brenda Dacres, cabinet member for housing development and planning at Lewisham council, said: “Building more social homes for families on our housing waiting list is vital for tackling the housing crisis and helping reduce the number of people living in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.

“Today is an important milestone in the delivery of this 100 per cent social housing development, which will have a life-changing impact for the Lewisham families who move into these homes once complete.”

Pictured top: From Left Brenda Dacres, Cabinet Member for housing development and planning, Randall Anderson, deputy chairman of the City of London corporation’s finance committee, Helen Fentimen, deputy chairman of the City of London corporation’s community and children’s services committee, and Ruby Sayed chairman of the City of London corporation’s community and children’s services committee (Picture: City of London Corporation)