Waltham Forest's Green deputy leader has told cabinet colleagues that "too many" residents are homeless or unhappy with their council housing. The new administration wants to review the borough's housing strategy.
Cllr Eva Tabbasam said "too many residents are still living in temporary accommodation, too many tenants are dissatisfied with aspects of our landlord service," and there were "still far too many homes that do not meet the standards our residents deserve".
What the figures show
According to a new report, 61% of council tenants said they were satisfied with the council as their landlord. That figure has not moved since 2022.
In April, around 1,527 residents were living in temporary accommodation, such as hotels or bed-and-breakfast-style housing.
Meanwhile, 13% of homes in the borough do not meet the Decent Homes Standard, which requires homes to be warm, safe and free from damp and mould. That is down from 19% the year before, and the council is working to lower it by another 5% this year.
The cabinet member for housing described an "unprecedented housing crisis" of "rising rents, limited housing supply, and increasing homelessness", putting "enormous pressure" on both residents and council services.
One result of that pressure is that almost half of homeless and at-risk residents are housed outside the borough. A recent council report found that 47% were living beyond Waltham Forest in April, down from a peak of 65% in October 2024.
Progress, and 'much to do'
Cllr Tabbasam said it was important to recognise the borough's progress as well as the "significant challenges that remain". She pointed to the fall in households in temporary accommodation, from a peak of 1,710 in September 2025 to 1,527 in April. Prevention work has also helped keep residents off the streets.
The Greens won control of the council in May. The administration says it has made progress but there is still "much to do".
"We are not complacent about what the work ahead looks like," said Cllr Tabbasam, who represents Cann Hall ward.
The administration has proposed reviewing the borough's housing strategy for the next three years, consulting residents, councillors and other stakeholders. It says the review will be a chance to "listen to communities, reflecting on changing needs", with a focus on "prevention, affordability, and quality and resident experience".
A London-wide problem
Waltham Forest's difficulties are not unique, and London is behind on its housing targets. Last year the Greater London Authority said work had started on 9,366 affordable homes. That is up from 3,991 in 2024/25, but well below the peak of 25,658 in 2022/23.
Waltham Forest says this reflects the ongoing impact of "rising build costs, stagnating sales, higher interest rates and tightened regulatory requirements", which it says it has "limited influence" over.
