Islington Council Delivers 74 Affordable Homes

Key Points

• Islington Council is actively building and buying new properties, as well as recovering homes, to deliver safe, secure, and genuinely affordable homes for local families.
• Since December 2024, 74 new council homes have been delivered, with another 78 nearing completion.
• Recent completions include 46 council homes on Elthorne Estate, 20 more soon ready on Andover Estate, and 11 on Parkview Estate.
• Construction is underway on 17 council homes at Beaumont Rise, and 19 council homes for people who have experienced homelessness at St John’s Mansions will be completed in the coming months.
• Major future developments at Barnsbury Estate and Holloway Park will deliver hundreds more homes for social rent.
• Consultations continue on potential schemes across the borough.
• Planning permission secured for 33 homes for social rent at Vorley Road, alongside a new GP surgery, library, and Access Islington Hub.
• Planning permission granted for 54 new homes on Bemerton Estate South, including 23 for social rent.
• New Barnsbury Estate redevelopment approved for 1,116 new homes, including 291 replacement and 135 additional social rent homes.
• Revised planning application for 24 council homes on Harvist Estate to be submitted next month following design review.
• Council has purchased 707 homes through one of the UK’s largest acquisition programmes.
• Additional homes unlocked via planning processes, downsizing support, and action against housing fraud.
• Between April and December 2025, 71 properties recovered and £253,430 in illegal profits reclaimed.
• Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, emphasised delivery through building, buying, supporting downsizing, tackling fraud, and using planning powers.
• Ongoing housing crisis: private rents risen by 13 per cent; over 16,500 households on Housing Register; homelessness up 25 per cent in London.

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Islington (North London News) February 3, 2026 – Islington Council is intensifying efforts to provide genuinely affordable homes through a multifaceted strategy of building new properties, purchasing existing ones, and recovering homes lost to fraud, as part of its core commitment to residents facing a deepening housing crisis.​

The initiative underscores the council’s determination to deliver safe and secure housing amid rising private rents and increasing homelessness across London.

What New Council Homes Have Been Delivered Recently?

Since December 2024, Islington Council has delivered 74 new council homes, with another 78 nearing completion, according to official council statements. On Elthorne Estate, 46 council homes have recently been completed. Additionally, 20 more homes are soon to be ready on Andover Estate, and 11 on Parkview Estate.

Construction is currently underway on 17 council homes at Beaumont Rise. Furthermore, 19 council homes specifically designated for people who have experienced homelessness at St John’s Mansions are slated for completion in the coming months.

These developments highlight the council’s focus on immediate housing delivery for vulnerable residents.

What Major Future Developments Are Planned?

Major future developments at Barnsbury Estate and Holloway Park are set to deliver hundreds more homes for social rent. The council pledges to continue building as part of its long-term strategy.

Consultations are ongoing on potential schemes across the borough to ensure community input shapes these projects.

As reported in council announcements, these initiatives aim to maximise affordable housing stock in high-demand areas.

What Planning Permissions Have Been Secured?

Planning permission has been secured for 33 homes for social rent at Vorley Road, alongside a new GP surgery, library, and Access Islington Hub. This mixed-use development enhances community services while prioritising affordable housing.

Planning permission has also been granted for 54 new homes on Bemerton Estate South, including 23 for social rent. For the New Barnsbury Estate redevelopment, approval enables 1,116 new homes, comprising 291 replacement and 135 additional social rent homes.

Following a design review, a revised planning application for 24 council homes on Harvist Estate will be submitted next month.

These permissions demonstrate the council’s proactive use of planning powers to boost social rent availability.

How Is the Council Acquiring More Homes?

Alongside building, the council is buying more homes, having purchased a total of 707 through one of the UK’s largest acquisition programmes. More homes are being unlocked through planning processes, downsizing support, and action against housing fraud.

Between April and December 2025, 71 properties were recovered, and £253,430 in illegal profits were reclaimed.

This acquisition drive supplements new builds, addressing immediate housing needs efficiently.

What Did Cllr John Woolf Say?

Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, stated:

“Every resident deserves a safe, secure and genuinely affordable home.”

He added:

“We are delivering this by building new council homes, buying more properties, supporting downsizing, and tackling housing fraud, while using our planning powers to maximise genuinely affordable homes on all sites.”

Cllr Woolf continued:

“This work shows how we’re making it happen for families across the borough, and we will keep pushing to provide the high quality, genuinely affordable homes our communities need.”

His comments, as quoted in council releases, affirm the authority’s comprehensive approach.

What Challenges Does Islington Face in Housing?

The scale of the challenge remains significant, with an ongoing housing crisis. Private rents have risen by 13 per cent. More than 16,500 households are on the Housing Register in Islington.

Homelessness has increased by 25 per cent in London.

Despite these pressures, the council continues to use every power available to deliver more genuinely affordable homes for residents who need a safe and secure place to live.

How Does This Fit into Broader Council Commitments?

This housing push forms a core part of the council’s commitment to making it happen for residents by investing in the things that matter most. From building and buying new properties to recovering homes for local families, Islington Council is going above and beyond.

The strategy integrates new construction, acquisitions, and anti-fraud measures to sustain momentum.

Elthorne, Andover, and Parkview Estates

Elthorne Estate saw 46 council homes completed recently. Andover Estate has 20 more soon ready, while Parkview Estate features 11 new homes.

Beaumont Rise and St John’s Mansions

Beaumont Rise is under construction for 17 council homes. St John’s Mansions will provide 19 homes for those who have experienced homelessness.

Vorley Road and Bemerton Estate South

Vorley Road includes 33 social rent homes with community facilities. Bemerton Estate South adds 54 homes, 23 for social rent.

New Barnsbury and Harvist Estates

New Barnsbury Estate redevelopment brings 1,116 homes, with significant social rent allocations. Harvist Estate’s revised application covers 24 council homes.

Why Is Tackling Housing Fraud Important Here?

Action against housing fraud has recovered 71 properties and £253,430 in illegal profits between April and December 2025. This effort unlocks homes for genuine need, bolstering supply without new builds.

Downsizing support further aids reallocation of larger properties.

How Does Islington Compare to London-Wide Trends?

Homelessness has surged by 25 per cent across London, exacerbating local pressures. Islington’s Housing Register lists over 16,500 households, reflecting acute demand.

The 13 per cent rise in private rents compounds affordability issues borough-wide.

What Next Steps Are Anticipated?

Consultations persist on schemes borough-wide. The Harvist Estate revised application submission is due next month.

Future phases at Barnsbury and Holloway Park will expand social rent capacity significantly.

Islington Council’s multifaceted response to the housing crisis combines immediate deliveries with strategic planning, acquisitions, and enforcement. By delivering 74 homes since December 2024 and pursuing hundreds more, the authority addresses both current needs and long-term sustainability. Cllr Woolf’s leadership underscores a resident-focused ethos amid challenging market conditions.

As private rents climb and homelessness rises, these efforts provide critical relief, ensuring more families secure genuinely affordable homes in Islington. The council’s use of planning permissions, fraud recovery, and purchases demonstrates a robust, all-encompassing strategy.

Ongoing consultations and upcoming completions signal continued progress, prioritising social rent in a borough where over 16,500 households await housing. This commitment reflects broader investments in community wellbeing, from GP surgeries to libraries integrated into developments. Despite the scale of the crisis, Islington remains proactive, leveraging every available tool for residents’ benefit.