Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet has approved a £18 million investment to convert four council-owned buildings into temporary homes for homeless families, with works set to begin in late 2026/early 2027 and occupation forecast for early 2028. The decision, made at a meeting on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, will see the repurposing of Rowan House, 130 Trumpington Road, Cedar Wood House, and 90 Crownfield Road to create 60 self-contained temporary accommodation units.
The move is part of the council's Asset Transformation Strategy, aiming to make better use of existing council property to address the borough's housing needs. The converted buildings will provide much-needed family-sized homes, with 78% of the proposed units being two bedrooms or larger. The accommodation units are intended for homeless families, with a focus on providing medium and larger family accommodation to address a critical shortage. Allocation will be based on the Council's statutory duties to homeless households and will follow Council policy and procedures, with accommodation needs assessments carried out before allocation to determine suitability, including considerations for disabilities or limited mobility.
Councillor Eva Tabbasam, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), highlighted the strategic importance of the investment, stating, The delivery of these 60 additional self-contained temporary accommodation homes represents a strategic and sustainable investment that maximises the use of existing council assets, reduces pressure on the General Fund, and, most importantly, provides more families with access to safe, suitable, and fit-for-purpose accommodation.
The project aims to reduce the council's reliance on more expensive external temporary accommodation, with an estimated first-year cost avoidance of up to £840,000. The financial case is built on the assumption that these new homes will replace higher-cost external placements. The schemes are designed with long-term flexibility in mind, ensuring that the homes provide value beyond their initial use as temporary accommodation. For example, a 2-bedroom temporary accommodation home (c.50m²) is comparable in size to a 1-bedroom, 2-person social rent home, giving the option to repurpose them for long-term affordable housing if required.
The converted buildings will feature modern amenities, including full kitchens, laundry facilities, and enhanced security. They will also incorporate energy-efficient heating systems, solar panels, and improved insulation to reduce living costs and contribute to the council's net-zero targets. The council's Climate Action Plan sets a target for 80% of homes in Waltham Forest to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B by 2030. The energy-efficient features in these homes, including Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar PV, increased insulation, and upgraded windows and doors, will contribute to improving the EPC rating of these properties, aligning with the council's net-zero objectives.
While the previous budget for these schemes was £15.36 million, the revised gross capital budget is £18.08 million, an increase of £2.72 million. This increase is attributed to 'design development, survey and building-condition findings, additional requirements, updated market pricing and inflation, professional and project delivery fees, and revised risk and contingency allowances'.
The procurement strategy involves a two-package, single-stage Design and Build approach, with contract awards delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, subject to tender returns remaining within approved budgets and refreshed financial appraisals. Further details on the council's decisions can be found in the Decisions 08th Sep 2026 Cabinet document.
