Tower Hamlets residents miss out on Olympic Park homes

Just 27 of almost 700 socially rented homes on offer at the Olympic Park will go to Tower Hamlets residents, it can be revealed.

The figures call into question the Olympic legacy left for those living in the East End, as the borough’s housing crisis continues.

Of the 1,300 homes in total at the Olympic Park, around 675 will be socially rented to help those in need get on the housing ladder.

But only 27 of those have been earmarked for Tower Hamlets residents – despite the development being a stone’s throw from the borough boundary.

Tory opposition councillor Zara Davis said: “I was shocked to find out that in fact we will be receiving less than 30 new homes. Residents were promised a tangible legacy that benefits our local community for years to come.

“As one of five Olympic host boroughs, it’s not unreasonable to expect Tower Hamlets to benefit substantially from the conversion of the former athlete’s village into housing. Residents want the legacy to be more than just the headlines and the feel good factor.”

Other host boroughs including Hackney and Waltham Forest also benefitted, with Newham being awarded nearly half of the social rented homes.

Triathlon Homes, the organisation responsible for the socially rented homes at East Village in the Olympic Park, said it will allocate some of the homes itself to “alleviate local housing needs”.

A spokesman added: “Residents in Tower Hamlets and across all east London boroughs are also prioritised for the remaining 704 shared ownership and intermediate rent homes, which will enable eligible people on a range of incomes to live in a high quality home at East Village.”