Key Points
- Waltham Forest Council is adding 176 people per month to its housing list.
- The council’s temporary accommodation costs fell from £327 per week in October to £246 in November, a 25% decrease.
- Despite the reduction, costs remain high, with third-party hotels costing £607 per week per household.
- More than 8,000 people are on the council’s housing register waiting for permanent accommodation.
- 1,549 households were living in temporary accommodation as of November, up from 1,096 in January 2024.
- The borough faces a significant housing crisis, with economic uncertainty limiting new affordable housing.
- Waltham Forest Council is planning 27,000 new homes by 2035, with 380 new affordable homes recently approved near Lea Bridge Station.
- House prices in Waltham Forest have risen by 118% in the last decade, while private rents have increased by 42%.
- Council Leader Grace Williams warns of “tough decisions” ahead to balance the housing budget.
- Deputy Leader Ahsan Khan stresses the need for national policy changes to address the crisis.
Waltham Forest Council is facing mounting pressure as an increasing number of residents require housing support, with 176 people added to the borough’s housing list every month. Despite a recent drop in temporary accommodation costs, the overall burden remains high, costing the council up to £607 per week per household in third-party hotels.
How Many People Are Waiting for Housing in Waltham Forest?
According to the latest council report, over 8,000 people are currently on Waltham Forest’s housing register, waiting for permanent housing. The borough receives around 200 applications per month, with 88% of cases accepted, adding approximately 176 people to the waiting list each month.
The number of people in temporary accommodation has also surged. In November 2024, 1,549 households were living in council-provided housing—an increase from 1,096 in January.
How Much Does Temporary Housing Cost Waltham Forest Council?
Although costs have decreased, temporary accommodation remains a major financial strain on Waltham Forest Council. The report highlights that:
- October 2024: The weekly cost per household was £327.
- November 2024: Costs dropped to £246 per week—a 25% decrease.
- May 2024: Costs peaked at £378 per week, due to a shortage of council and private rental spaces.
Third-party hotels continue to be the most expensive option, costing the council £607 per week per household. The second most costly accommodation is licensed housing, at £299 per week.
What Is Causing Waltham Forest’s Housing Crisis?
The borough’s housing crisis has been attributed to a mix of economic uncertainty, inflation, rising borrowing costs, and a lack of new affordable housing. The council report states that:
“Inflation, static values, and increasing borrowing costs have made it difficult for residents to find and move into homes that suit their needs.”
Council Leader Grace Williams warned that the borough is in the grip of a severe housing crisis, stating that “tough decisions” would be necessary to balance the budget while meeting the council’s legal obligations.
Deputy Leader Ahsan Khan, in the council’s 2025-2029 housing strategy, noted:
“This will be a challenge, and we are acutely aware that national changes to housing policy will also be needed.”
What Are the Council’s Plans to Tackle the Housing Shortage?
To ease the crisis,
has recently acquired two former hotels on Lea Bridge Road, adding 221 housing units to its stock. This move has led to a significant drop in temporary accommodation costs.
The council is also working on long-term housing projects:
- 27,000 new homes are planned by 2035 as part of the Local Plan, which will be submitted to independent government inspectors.
- Earlier this month, plans for 380 new affordable homes near Lea Bridge Station were approved.
- Between 2012 and 2021, 9,100 new homes were built in the borough, but only 3,000 were affordable.
How Have House Prices and Rents Changed in Waltham Forest?
Waltham Forest has experienced one of the fastest property price increases in the UK over the past decade.
- House prices have risen by 118% between 2014 and 2024.
- Private rents increased by 42% between 2011 and 2019.
- The borough, which was once the fourth most affordable in London in 2002, had fallen to 14th place by 2022.
These rising costs have made it even harder for residents to find affordable housing, increasing reliance on council support and temporary accommodation.
How Is the Council Managing the Housing Budget?
In June 2024, Waltham Forest Council anticipated a £10 million overspend on its housing budget. While a £4.4 million government grant will provide partial relief, the council is being forced to make internal cuts to manage the financial strain.
Council Leader Grace Williams has acknowledged that “tough decisions” will be needed to keep the borough financially stable.
What’s Next for Housing in Waltham Forest?
With housing demand continuing to rise, Waltham Forest Council is prioritising new developments and cost-saving measures. However, with ongoing economic challenges and high accommodation costs, the borough’s housing crisis is far from over.
The council will be closely monitoring temporary accommodation figures, while pushing forward with affordable housing projects to meet the growing demand.
