Camden expands ambitious housebuilding programme to deliver 1,800 council homes - CIP

Camden will be increasing our housebuilding programme to deliver 1,800 council homes in response to the needs of local residents under a £1.3 billion investment plan. 

The Council's Cabinet has agreed to expand our Community Investment Programme to build more council homes that provide affordable housing to families and energy-efficient homes that help residents with the cost of rising fuel bills and tackle climate change.

Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs, and Community Investment, said: “Now is the time for the Council to be even bolder and more ambitious. Instead of delaying new homes in the absence of national funding, we are taking action and building as many affordable homes, as quickly as is possible, which we know are urgently needed for our residents.”

The proposals will include:

• Increasing our house building target to 4,850 new homes, up from 3,050
• Delivering 1,800 council homes and maintain Camden’s position as one of the leading builders of new social housing
• Making a total £1.3bn investment in increasing the numbers of social and affordable homes in Camden
• Continuing building larger, energy-efficient homes that provide Camden families with the space they need.

The Community Investment Programme has so far provided larger council homes to over 1,000 residents including 453 children, many of whom previously lived in overcrowded homes.

Cllr Beales added: “We will deliver many of these housing schemes ourselves and, where there is opportunity to deliver the same numbers of affordable homes sooner, alongside other partners.”

Key developments

The proposals will bring forward regeneration projects across the borough, including at Camley Street, Central Somers Town, and Bacton Low Rise. 

Camley Street regeneration: 170 affordable homes and 1,000 new jobs

The regeneration plans, developed with local stakeholders, include 350 new homes on a site where there is currently no housing. 170 homes will be affordable, and 129 will be managed by the Council through our housing company, Camden Living.

There will be 200,000 square feet of workspaces, capacity for over 1,000 jobs in life sciences, tech, and digital industries. Local jobs will be promoted and the scheme includes improved walking and cycling routes, open spaces, cafes and shops.

A development partner will be used on part of the site to speed up delivery of critically needed affordable homes and bring expertise for specialised workspaces.

Central Somers Town: 34 new affordable homes set to be built

The delivery of our affordable housing building will be boosted by the registration of Camden Living as a social housing provider.

34 new social rent homes will be built in Central Somers Town with a Greater London Authority grant worth a £3.4m.

The homes will be built by 2024 and offer residents new homes with capped social rents, the Council as their landlord, and the same security as a council tenancy.

Bacton Low Rise redevelopment: 71 affordable homes

Cabinet agreed a delivery plan for the second phase of Bacton Low Rise redevelopment and the building of more affordable homes in Gospel Oak.

The delivery plan being proposed to Cabinet will ensure that the scheme can get underway as quickly as possible and deliver benefits for local residents.