Work to transform a derelict former health clinic in Shepherds Bush into two contemporary one bedroom flats is almost complete.
Three months ago, the Becklow Gardens clinic was nothing but a derelict shell of a building.
Since then, builders have been working tirelessly to convert the space into two flats complete with spacious kitchens and modern bathrooms.
In addition to these homes at Becklow Gardens, 23 new properties will be built across six other sites in the borough.
The construction follows a council announcement last year that it would be establishing its own housing development company in order to directly provide new affordable homes for the first time in 30 years to help local people living or working in the borough to get onto the property ladder and help create a Borough of Opportunity.
H&F has the fourth highest house prices in the UK, and the scheme aims to give local people on low to middle incomes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own their own home at a discounted market rate.
The council has been inundated with interest since marketing the two properties which will be sold at discounted market rate to people with a household income of up to £60,000.
Each property comprises a contemporary fully-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher and washing machine, central heating, double glazed windows, off-street parking and communal gardens.
Cllr Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said:
“We’re committed to creating ladders of housing opportunity in Hammersmith & Fulham and I’m delighted to see the completion of the first of our local housing company’s new homes at Becklow Gardens. When I came to see this derelict building at the start of the year, it was hard to envisage it being converted into such stylish and modern homes, yet we’ve done it.
"This borough has some of the highest house prices in Britain, which is why creating low cost home ownership opportunities for our residents on low to middle incomes is one of our top priorities. Schemes like this show that there is light at the end of the tunnel as we strive to create a low cost home ownership Borough of Opportunity.”
Through the housing development company structure the council will be able to maximise its financial return, retain the benefit of any affordable housing that is developed and maintain greater control over the design of the new housing schemes.
The housing development company will initially be funded by money the council has saved from selling off void properties that are too expensive to repair but in the longer term is intended to become self-financing. Any profit made in the early years could be used to pay for estate improvements, such as better open spaces, and improved security for residents, as well as more new homes.
H&F Home Buy will undertake the process of identifying suitable applicants from the Home Buy register. To register with Home Buy call 020 8753 6464 or email h&fHome-buy@lbhf.gov.uk.