Working with the community to build a better Harrow

We all know about the housing crisis in Harrow. When I’m out on the doorstep I’ve heard stories from people of all ages about their struggles with housing, from being ripped off by their landlord to not being able to move out of home due to rocketing house and rental prices. Everyone is concerned about housing in Harrow at the moment.  
It is clear that we need to start building affordable homes and since taking over in May 2014 we have been working round the clock to kick start this process, with building work on the first Council Houses to be built since the 80s in Harrow due to start in early summer. This is only the start of our ambitious plans.
Last month we successfully bid for £31.2m of funding to build new homes in the Harrow & Wealdstone Town Centre. As well as tackling the housing crisis this will create new jobs and apprenticeships for our young people; which also fulfils one of our key manifesto pledges.
As an administration we are clear that it should be local residents that benefit from these redevelopments, from new housing and leisure facilities to a new Civic Centre that will be designed for all the community to use and benefit from.
As with everything the Council does we need to work closely with residents and ensure that their views are heard. Residents will have a unique opportunity to become involved in shaping the plans through public meetings and a special Regeneration Panel, which will influence how the plans are taken forward.
Over the coming months we look forward to working with residents as we build a better Harrow together.