Strategy launched for social housing legacy of Olympics

A lettings strategy has been agreed for the 675 new social rented homes at the Olympic Village, setting out what backers say is a vision for a sustainable, mixed-use community.

The strategy, which has been agreed by mayor of London Boris Johnson, mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, and Triathlon Homes, will help alleviate housing need in the capital.

Under construction: The East Village development

Newham Council will be able to nominate for more than half of the social rented homes, the largest amount ever delivered to the borough from one development. The London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest will have access to more than 100 new social rented homes.

Triathlon Homes, the owner of 1,379 affordable homes at East Village, will allocate approximately 150 homes itself, and the Greater London Authority will use its allocation of nearly 70 homes to facilitate moves throughout London for social housing tenants.

Geoff Pearce, executive director at Triathlon Homes, said: ‘It’s very common for homes for sale to be sold off plan, but for social rented homes it’s unheard of to do this. We want to make sure there is a mixed community at the Village – some families, couples, retirees – and we want to make their move to the Village as smooth as possible which is why we’re pre-allocating the homes.’

Many of the homes will be pre-allocated to potential residents shortly after the Olympics are finished, and up to a year in advance of moving in. This is at least six months earlier than usual and is an innovative element of the programme.