This week The Mayor of London Boris Johnson officially launched the first new council homes to be built in Barnet for over 20 years by visiting one of the three families who have recently moved in.
The new homes on Alexandra Road, Muswell Hill, N10, are part of a wider programme to create around 40 new family-sized houses and flats in the borough by 2015.
First of all, Boris Johnson stopped by the Freehold community centre, which is in the local vicinity. His busy itinerary included talking with local organisations like the Barnet Furniture Centre and Performance Advisory Group members.
The Mayor was also presented with a crafted wooden bowl and a London Transport themed sculpture from the Freehold Community Men’s Shed.
Joined by Tracey Lees, Barnet Homes Chief Executive and The Leader of Barnet Council, Richard Cornelius, Boris walked up Alexandra Road to meet residents Mr Hamud and Mrs Mohammed and their five young children. They spoke of how happy they were to have settled into their new home.
Mr Hamud said: “The house is great and the kids absolutely love the space – it’s made so much difference to our lives.”
Boris Johnson, who went inside the new home for a quick tour, said: It’s a fantastic house.”
The new Alexandra Road homes are helping to address a historic shortage of family homes in Barnet and across the capital.
This is part of a substantial programme of new council homes in Barnet. Planning applications for 40 more homes on six further sites in the next phase of development will be submitted by April 2014.
The Mayor of London added: “Helping boroughs to increase the number of good quality, decent-sized family homes across the capital is one of my top priorities. “