An acquisition mission: Turning old homes into new

Despite the financial challenges facing councils across the country, Waltham Forest is continuing to invest in the homes residents need. To tackle the housing crisis head‑on, the council is increasing the supply of high‑quality homes through its Homes Acquisition Programme, which works alongside our significant construction pipeline of new council homes. Both programmes work together to bring homes into use quickly, sustainably and at scale. 

For the past two years, the Homes Acquisition Programme has been purchasing properties for use as both permanent and temporary accommodation. So far, the council has acquired more than 50 homes, with another 50 on track to complete during 2026. Bringing these homes into council ownership helps to stabilise long‑term costs and provides better-quality, more secure homes for local families. 

The programme is funded partly through central government and Greater London Authority grants and partly by the council. Purchasing homes makes long‑term financial sense, as it provides stable homes for households and is more cost‑effective than high‑cost private temporary accommodation. 

Alongside acquiring homes, the council is also bringing empty council buildings back into use as high‑quality temporary accommodation. Proposals such as the conversion of Rowan House and Trumpington Road will create safe, modern and energy‑efficient temporary accommodation for local households who have become homeless, whilst the council works with them to find a settled home. Residents can share their views on the Let’s Talk Waltham Forest website. 

As the supply of suitable, affordable properties for use as settled homes has reduced in recent years, the demand for temporary accommodation has increased. In October 2025, over 1700 households were living in temporary accommodation provided by the council, but through collective working across the council, this number has now reduced to just over 1500. Building a long-term property pipeline is essential to ensuring we can continue meeting the demand for temporary accommodation in a sustainable and financially responsible way. Once the current phase of acquisitions is complete, the council is developing plans to apply for further external funding to purchase more than 200 additional homes over the next four years.  

Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:

Acquiring existing homes is a smart, environmentally responsible way to expand our housing stock and give families in temporary accommodation the safety, stability and quality they deserve. Buying homes already in our community reduces our reliance on high-cost private rentals, strengthens our control over management and standards, and brings properties into use far more quickly than new developments.  

With further funding, we plan to bring more than 200 additional homes back into council stock over the next four years so more residents can move into suitable, secure homes sooner. This programme is delivering real results for local people, and we are committed to using every lever we have to meet rising need, even in a difficult financial climate.

The Homes Acquisition Programme, building conversions and new‑build developments all contribute to the council’s planned investment to build new homes, improve neighbourhoods and deliver high‑quality community infrastructure over the next ten years. Together, these programmes form an ambitious and coordinated approach to increasing the supply of affordable, secure homes for residents. This works builds on the council’s already strong track record in housing delivery. Inside Housing ranked Waltham Forest as the fourth highest local authority in the country for building new council homes in 2024/25, with 482 homes delivered over the year. Each new home brings us closer to our aim that all residents have access to safe, secure and genuinely affordable housing.