Lavish penthouses in Shepherds Bush are being offered to teachers in a bid to tackle the housing crisis by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
The original 2007 plan for the 12 Edward Woods Estate apartments was for them to be sold as luxury housing, but this proved unworkable as potential buyers were refused mortgages by banks at the onset of the recession in 2008.
The flats were conceived as part of a regenerations programme of the estate which included structural repairs and improving energy efficiency – but not lifts to service the penthouses.
Councillor Lisa Homan, cabinet member for housing, said: “Our schools depend on having fantastic teachers that give our children the best possible start in life.
“The London housing crisis is making it increasingly difficult for many teachers to work in the borough, so we wanted to take this first step towards addressing that.”
The flats are all two-bed, located at the top of Norland House, Stebbing House and Poynter House on the estate.
The aim is to let them out to teachers at social rent, while any remaining will be allocated to other residents in need of affordable housing.
The housing crisis is particularly critical in Hammersmith & Fulham where the council have brought new measures to solve the shortage.
Last month they announced that properties left empty for more than two years will face a premium on council tax.
The Empty Homes Premium rate of 150% was agreed on to act as an incentive for owners of ‘buy-to-leave’ properties to put them back into use, making more homes available for people in the borough.
Current residents of Norland, Stebbing and Poynter houses will be consulted over the plans for the 12 new flats until 5pm on Monday, March 16.
Picture courtesy of Chris Guy, with thanks
