The celebration event outside the new council homes in Colindale Gardens
Celebrations were held as residents completed their move into the 249 newly acquired council homes in Colindale today (Thursday 5 September).
The event, held at the latest phase of the Colindale Gardens development, marked a significant stride in Barnet’s commitment to deliver 1,000 new council homes by 2026.
Of the 249 there is a diverse range of properties, including 42 three-bedroom family homes and 40 wheelchair-adaptable residences. Accompanying these are studios, and one and two-bedroom properties, catering to various housing needs.
Attending the event were Cllr Ross Houston, Barnet’s Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, local ward councillors, Barnet Homes and Barnet Council officers, and Paul Muldowney, Managing Director of developer Redrow’s London Division.
Cllr Ross Houston said:
“Delivering the right homes to meet diverse needs now and for future generations, that people can afford and are in the right places, is a key priority and challenge for the council.
“The successful purchase and letting of these homes are a significant milestone in our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing for our residents. This helps not only address the acute housing shortage but also substantially minimises temporary accommodation costs.”
Hocine Haddadi, who moved into a flat in Colindale Gardens in November, said:
“I’m very happy to live here, and we’d like to carry on living here. I like the area, I like everything. The garden is really nice. If you invite people for a birthday, a small party, it will be fantastic.
“I can’t thank Barnet enough, to be honest. Before, we were in temporary accommodation – it was ok, but not as lovely as this. This is amazing. It ticks all the boxes.”
These properties will be managed by council-owned housing company Barnet Homes, bolstering its existing social housing portfolio of 13,000 properties across the borough.
The acquisition of the homes at Colindale Gardens forms a key part of the council’s invest-to-save strategy. Increasing the supply of homes brings down the cost of providing temporary accommodation, which is currently a major pressure on the council’s budget. The purchase of the 249 homes, which was funded by the council’s Housing Revenue Account, is already generating significant savings.
Paul Muldowney of Redrow said:
“Our partnership with Barnet Council is a testament to our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to secure, affordable housing. We are proud to be part of Colindale Gardens, a development offering high-quality residences surrounded by green spaces and excellent amenities.”
The event also helped highlight Barnet Council’s overarching housing plans. In March 2023, the council announced comprehensive strategies to enhance housing conditions, including transitioning social housing tenants from fixed-term to lifetime tenancies and committing substantial funds—£2.2 million annually for the next decade—to combat damp and mould issues in council-owned properties.