Last key handed over as 103 homes reach completion on East London affordable housing development

Building work on the Little Gearies Housing development in Ilford, East London has been completed.  As one of the larger sites on the council housing programme, the development will provide 103 new homes to local families, including those living in temporary accommodation or those on our housing waiting list.

The work completed on the Little Gearies development was funded by the Greater London Authority's Building Homes for Londoners Grant.  It is part of the council’s wider commitment to deliver 600 new affordable homes to rent by the end of 2025, to help tackle the national housing crisis.

In partnership with the building contractor Hills, the new homes have been completed ahead of schedule and consist of a mixture of one, two and three bed flats, as well as houses and maisonettes, with improvements made to green and recycling stations.

Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, said, “We are delighted to have completed work ahead of schedule alongside our building partner Hills.  The housing crisis means the national picture remains extremely challenging; however, these new homes will help reduce waiting lists and prevent homelessness, and provide local families with a long-term, affordable accommodation.”

Redbridge resident, Dace, recently moved into her new property on the development, having lived in temporary accommodation since 2017 with her younger daughter. She said: “In October 2023, we received another eviction letter from our landlord. It’s difficult not knowing if we will be able to find a new place or not.

“We received the offer of the flat at the Little Gearies in October 2024 and moved in at the end of October. The flat is very spacious, warm with a balcony, and the rent is affordable with a nice surrounding area. We are very grateful to have a permanent place we can call home.”

For more information on the homes we’re building across the borough, visit: our affordable homes programme page