Sadiq and George, who both grew up in council housing, visited Haringey Council’s Wingspan Walk development where they met a resident and shared their memories of growing up on housing estates. They also talked about the importance of good quality social housing for a video which is available to watch now on Instagram.
The visit with Haringey Council marked the major milestone of completing 1,000 new, high-quality and green council homes in the borough – one of the biggest council house building programmes in the capital in a generation.
Wingspan Walk consists of 272 new energy-efficient homes available at social rent, helping to keep running costs low and support families most in need. It is situated close to Tottenham Hale train station on previously disused land. Residents also have access to nearby Down Lane Park, two communal courtyards and cycle storage to encourage sustainable travel.
The development is one of the great successes of the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme, and this year, Sadiq is urging housing associations and councils to bid for a record government investment of £11.7 billion to deliver social and affordable housing across the capital.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I know first-hand how the security of a council home transforms families’ lives. Beyond our front door we had an incredible mix of friends and neighbours from all over the world. That’s why I want to thank Haringey Council Leader, Peray Ahmet, for her hard work and commitment towards reaching the brilliant milestone of completing 1,000 new council homes in Haringey.
“It was a real pleasure to meet George Clarke and to hear about his early experiences growing up on a council estate in Tyne and Wear. I am grateful for his fierce campaigning to champion the positive impact social housing has on people’s lives, and agree we must do all we can to boost affordable homes in London and across the UK.
“As Mayor, I am absolutely determined to tackle our urgent housing crisis and continue to do everything in my power to deliver more homes of all tenures, building on the progress we have already made, as we build a better, fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”
Architect and TV presenter George Clarke, who is an ambassador for Shelter, said:
“I strongly believe that everyone should have a decent roof over their heads and it’s morally right that housing is provided for those in need.
“I have been calling on governments and councils to build good quality, sustainable versions of the childhood council home I grew up in for a long time, so it was a pleasure to join Sadiq Khan in a visit to Wingspan Walk which has been made possible through City Hall funding.
“London has been my home for many decades, so I am pleased that Sadiq is showing strong leadership, and has pledged to build 40,000 new council homes by the end of the decade.”
Haringey Council Leader, Cllr Peray Ahmet, said:
“I was thrilled to welcome the Mayor of London and George Clarke for such a historic milestone and to help us celebrate 1000 council homes being built in our borough.
“Everyone should have a safe, warm, comfortable and affordable home. We know there is a housing crisis across the capital and that is why we have placed such a strong emphasis on making sure we deliver for our residents.
“George and the Mayor are huge advocates for social housing and the way it can transform people’s lives. The funding from the Mayor’s Office is helping us to turn the tide and provide a more positive future.”
