I’m delighted to be taking on the housing portfolio at such a crucial time.  

We recently announced a £5m investment, one of the largest of its kind in the country, to improve the quality of our housing services and introduced a far-reaching housing improvement plan that will act in the best interests of our residents. 

Key amongst the changes will be a complete overhaul of the repairs service so that tenants do not have to wait long periods for issues to be resolved. Other major priorities include dealing with damp and mould in properties, with the worst cases already being tackled, and ensuring improved performance in respect of building safety compliance. 

At the same time as investing in housing quality and ensuring full compliance, we will upskill our staff, making sure they are actively visible to residents, and that systems are upgraded and easy to use.  

Ham & High: Cllr Sarah Williams has taken on Haringey Council's housing portfolioCllr Sarah Williams has taken on Haringey Council's housing portfolio (Image: Haringey Council)

Running through the entirety of our housing improvement plan is a focus on putting our residents at the heart of everything that we do. We recognise that we can’t provide the services our residents need without engaging with them and hearing them. After all, nobody knows our homes better than those who live in them.

The plan is examined and monitored by an 'improvement board', chaired by our chief executive. This high-level involvement underlines the focus and determination of the entire council executive to transforming council housing in Haringey.

We have also committed £800 million to bringing our homes up to decent standards over the next 10 years and, to ensure we are meeting net zero targets and ending fuel poverty, we have set aside £100 million to begin an ambitious decarbonisation retrofit of our council stock. We are committed to delivering 3,000 new, high-quality, energy efficient council homes as part of the first large-scale building programme of its kind in a generation.

I’m focused on giving our tenants and leaseholders good quality, secure homes, so they can have the best chance of a healthy, fulfilled life. Residents want to see action being taken and that’s exactly what will happen over the coming weeks, months and years.

  • Cllr Sarah Williams is Haringey Council cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning.