Unloved spaces to cherished homes - Islington Council transforms garages and car park into new homes

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Islington Council has built seven new council homes at genuinely affordable social rent on the site of 12 underused garages and a car park in the north of the borough.

The newly-finished Blenheim Court development, and the soon-to-be-completed Morton Road project, create three one-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom homes and three three-bedroom homes. All the properties are accessible and adaptable, so that people can remain in their homes if their physical needs change.

The homes are energy-efficient with solar panels and gas central heating, resulting in warmer homes and cheaper bills.

Four families have already moved into the much-needed new council homes at Blenheim Court and Morton Road will provide homes for three other Islington families.

Ugur Icli, 25, has lived on the estate all of his life but until he got his new flat in Blenheim Court, he was still living at home with his mum. He said: “It’s very tough in London for people my age. Young people need to be given a chance to live independently. It’s so nice to know my family are nearby and I get to see my niece as she grows up.”

Mother-of-three and new Blenheim Court tenant, Ms Miles said: “Our new house is exactly what my family needed. I’m happy that my children now have space to grow up in as my youngest child has special needs.”

Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “Islington, like the rest of London, faces a housing crisis and we’re committed to building more genuinely affordable housing.

“Islington Council will continue to transform unloved, underused sites into new council homes, just as we have with these two developments.”

Islington is committed to 2,000 new affordable homes between 2015 and 2019, including 500 new council homes. For more about new council housing in Islington see www.islington.gov.uk/housing/housing-development-and-involvement/new-building