Best affordable housing development – up to £5m

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This site in Hackney, east London, used to be a neglected plot that hosted derelict garages and attracted anti-social behaviour. It has now been transformed by 108,000-home landlord Peabody into a scheme of 12 affordable homes for key workers.

 

As such, Morpeth Road has simultaneously addressed the concerns of local people, while providing much-needed new housing for the community. Each home is offered at Hackney Living Rent, which is capped at one-third of the local median household income.

 

Recognising the need to cater to a variety of key workers and their families, this development includes five one-bedroom homes, three two-bedroom homes and three three-bedroom homes, each designed over two storeys, as well as a one-bedroom wheelchair-accessible bungalow.

 

As one of Morpeth Road’s new residents put it: “Finding out that I would be moving to Morpeth Road was amazing, and I’d definitely recommend Hackney Living Rent to other people. Unlike with private rent where I’d have nothing left after covering my bills, I’m actually able to start saving towards a deposit for my own home.”

 

The judges said:

“A wonderful design and layout on a constrained site, with a visually interesting shape. Following the curve of the street works and the courtyards look great. Fantastic for key workers”