Work has begun on 172 additional council homes as Hackney Council seeks to expand its housing programme.
The new properties are being constructed in Haggerston, Clapton and Stoke Newington on council-owned sites that are currently underused, including land containing former garages, disused offices and car parks.
The development sites are located at Pedro Street, Blackwell Close, Nye Bevan Estate, Morris Blitz Court, Frampton Park Estate, Fellows Court and Weymouth Court.
Hackney mayor Zoë Garbett said thousands of residents required secure, permanent council housing, but the effects of austerity and the housing emergency had slowed the council’s ability to construct or acquire homes at the required pace.
She said the authority would continue delivering current projects while accelerating plans for further council-house construction.
She also said additional government assistance would be needed if Hackney was to address the housing crisis, warning that children would otherwise continue growing up in temporary accommodation.
Across Hackney, 972 council homes are either being planned or are already under construction.
The council has received £125 million through the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Programme for the period from 2021 to 2026.
Hundreds of additional homes are planned over the coming decade, with larger family-sized properties given priority for applicants who have faced the longest waits.
More than 8,000 households are currently included on the housing waiting list.
Regeneration, planning and inclusive neighbourhoods cabinet member Alastair Binnie-Lubbock said the start of construction marked a new phase of council-house development.
More than 70% of the homes are intended to be let at council rent levels, with the authority aiming to provide affordable housing that is economical to run and not intended to generate profit.