Barnet Labour is paving the way for about 1,000 further council homes by 2030.

Barnet’s Labour administration is already driving towards securing an initial 1,000 homes for social rent – either council or housing association owned – as promised in its 2022 election manifesto.

And councillors examined plans to create a financing mechanism for Barnet to acquire 200-300 new council per year from 2026-2027 at the June meeting of the Barnet’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Acquiring homes for social rent at the rate would provide between 800 and 1,200 new homes by 2030.

The course to buy 200-300 per year has been set by the council’s cabinet.

Barnet currently faces a housing crisis, with more than 4,400 households on the waiting list for social housing and more than 2,800 households living in temporary accommodation.

Council officers project that buying  homes at this rate, in addition to building new homes either currently under construction or in the planning process, will begin to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation.

The plans were made before the Labour Government announced action on housing in its Spending Review, which is expected to provide further boosts to councils expanding the number of social homes.

Barnet’s Labour Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, Cllr Ross Houston, said: “Thousands of Barnet families living in temporary accommodation is bad for them, and bad for the council, costing our taxpayers millions.

“Barnet’s do-nothing Conservatives failed to invest in social housing, creating this crisis.

“Barnet Labour is determined to tackle the housing crisis and investing to save taxpayers money.

“And transforming the lives of some of our most vulnerable families and children in the process. Barnet Labour will always work towards the day when every family knows they can find a safe, secure and affordable home.”