Keeping it local – ISHA launches 54 affordable homes in Waltham Forest

A group of people cutting a ribbon

Front row LTR: Gerry Lennon, Pre-Construction Director at Kind & Co, Ruth Davison, Chief Executive of ISHA, Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration at Waltham Forest Council, Mervyn Jones, Chair of the Board, ISHA, Janet Mussington, Director of Development at ISHA.

Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) proudly hosted a local launch for their brand-new affordable development at 317a and 400 Hoe Street in Waltham Forest on Monday 5 June.

Ruth Davison, Chief Executive of ISHA, highlighted the importance of delivering affordable housing locally, saying:

“These beautiful homes show what can be achieved when small, community housing associations work with the council. We dug deep to deliver these 54 homes for social rent and shared ownership, at a time of huge financial pressure and Waltham Forest contributed funds too. Home is so central to our lives, education too. We sold the commercial space below to a local nursery, they’re right by an excellent school, and affordable to local people. We also let all our social homes with carpets or laminates and curtains, meaning people have the best start when they move in. We’re so proud to be on Hoe Street and part of this community. It’s what ISHA are all about”

Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said that having grown up in Waltham Forest he was delighted to be launching the new homes and seeing the benefits to the local area:

“The completion of this development contributes to more affordable homes in Waltham Forest underlining our commitment to build more housing across the borough which gives our residents opportunities to live, work and thrive locally.”

ISHA Chair, Mervyn Jones, speaks with Councillor Ahsan Khan on the balcony of a shared ownership flat at 400 Hoe Street.

Pre-Construction Director at Kind & Co, Gerry Lennon, was also born and raised in Waltham Forest. He recalled the underused commercial garages and petrol station that had once occupied these sites and he said how pleased he was to see the sites transformed to provide new homes for local residents.

The launch event for the 54 new homes looked to the community, sourcing catering from the Gleaners Community Café, based just down the road at the Hornbeam Centre, as well as speaking with new residents, and staff from the on-site nursery at 400 Hoe Street.

A selection of food and drinks catered for the event

Catering provided in part by The Gleaners Café, part of local community co-op The Hornbeam Centre.

ISHA and Kind &Co also announced, as part of their ongoing commitment to the community, a collaboration to help refurbish the outdoor area at the on-site nursery, supporting their vision for outdoor learning and play.

Nursery Manager Amie Culley said:

“We have been in the neighbourhood for several years and love it here. We asked about Hoe Street and were delighted that ISHA recognised our community contribution and supported us to take it on. It’s a lovely space and we’re also really looking forward to working with ISHA and Kind &Co to refurbish the outdoor area for our children to enjoy.”