Waltham Forest's Housing Compact is showing promising results in enhancing safety and living conditions for social housing tenants across the borough. The Housing Compact takes its direction from the borough's Housing Strategy 2024-2029. The Housing Strategy sets out how the council, working with partners, will work to tackle the root causes and impacts of the national housing crisis in Waltham Forest, aligning with and building on other key plans for change. An update on the progress of the Waltham Forest Housing Compact was presented at the Housing and Inclusive Economy Scrutiny Committee meeting on 2 July 2025, highlighting key achievements and future priorities.

The Housing Compact, a partnership between the council and registered providers (housing associations), aims to raise standards and deliver shared priorities for social housing. Since its launch in July 2024, the Compact has focused on areas critical to residents' well-being, including domestic abuse, community safety, and housing allocation.

Waltham Forest Housing Compact cover image.
Waltham Forest Housing Compact cover image.Source: Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee papers, 2 July 2025

Key Achievements

  • Protocols for Domestic Abuse and Community Safety: The introduction of these protocols has strengthened partnership working, providing clearer guidance and enabling faster, more coordinated interventions to protect vulnerable tenants and create safer neighbourhoods.
  • Improved Nominations Protocol: Work is progressing on a new nominations protocol to improve the allocation of vacant homes, reduce delays, and ensure properties are matched efficiently to those in greatest need.
  • Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) Data: The collation of TSM data from partners has facilitated the sharing of best practices through lunch and learn sessions, addressing issues such as housing fraud, damp and mould, as well as information sharing on changes within the borough, such as changes to waste collections.
  • Furnishing Futures Pilot: A successful pilot with Furnishing Futures, in partnership with Peabody, has provided a high-quality, furnished home for a domestic abuse survivor.

Collage of interior shots of homes, including a quote about the feeling of happiness associated with having a house.
Collage of interior shots of homes, including a quote about the feeling of happiness associated with having a house.Source: Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee papers, 2 July 2025

Future Priorities

Looking ahead, the Housing Compact aims to:

  • Improve multi-agency working on mental health and social services.
  • Review processes for homelessness referrals.
  • Support the development of new affordable homes. L&Q's Spruce Hill development and Newlon's two developments at Patchworks and Drayton Road could collectively provide 253 new homes. Additionally, Project 123 at Tyndall Gardens is anticipated to deliver 38 modular homes by late Summer 2026.
  • Enhance community safety through the utilization of the community safety protocol and expansion of CCTV partnerships.
  • Increase youth engagement and awareness of youth activities.

Waltham Forest Community Safety Protocol diagram outlining tackling anti-social behaviour.
Waltham Forest Community Safety Protocol diagram outlining tackling anti-social behaviour.Source: Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee papers, 2 July 2025

The Waltham Forest Housing Compact – Annual Report, 2024/25 highlights that partners have invested over £100,000 in local community groups and initiatives in 2024/25, supporting clubs, events, and activities.

The committee reviewed the information within the Compact cabinet report July 2025, asked questions of officers, and made recommendations as required, ensuring the Compact continues to deliver tangible benefits for residents across the borough.