In the mid‑2000s, Newham was facing unprecedented housing pressure, with around 25,000 households on the waiting list and rising homelessness. In response, Newham Council and a group of housing professionals created Local Space, a new kind of organisation designed to bring private finance into the fight against homelessness.

Local Space merged with Passmore Urban Renewal, an initiative created to support the regeneration of Forest Gate. Through this merger, Local Space took on 132 key worker homes, becoming a direct landlord for the first time.

National housing policy shifted in 2010 with the introduction of the Localism Act, which allowed councils to meet their homelessness duties through the private rented sector.

Local Space became a delivery partner in the government’s Settled Homes Initiative, working with Hackney, Waltham Forest and the City of London.

The London Olympics transformed East London’s housing market, increasing the value of Local Space’s existing stock. This uplift allowed the organisation to borrow again and launch Growth Property A (GPA), a programme to acquire and refurbish around 700 homes for families experiencing homelessness in Newham.

Ahead of GPA negotiations, Local Space acquired a small portfolio of homes in Essex. Although Newham ultimately did not take nomination rights, these homes became part of Local Space’s wider offer to support people in housing need.

The original 30‑year agreement governing the 450 gifted and 1,000 acquired homes was extended, aligning it with the new GPA portfolio. This cemented a long‑term partnership between Local Space and Newham to provide stable, affordable homes for families facing homelessness.

Local Space partnered with Waltham Forest Council to deliver new homes partly funded through Right to Buy receipts. These homes were let to families experiencing homelessness, expanding Local Space’s tenure mix and deepening its regional partnerships.

A portion of GPA homes were converted from intermediate rent to affordable rent, with rent levels set at the Mayor of London’s London Affordable Rent benchmark rates helping Local Space support households struggling with rising living costs.

Local Space took on Terry Waite House, a supported housing scheme for young care leavers. Newham acts as the managing agent, while Local Space ensures safe, high‑quality accommodation for young people transitioning to independence.

Local Space began taking back the management of GPA homes from Newham, significantly increasing the number of residents it serves directly.

Local Space also expanded its partnership with Newham through a growing lease scheme. Under this model, Newham purchases homes and leases them to Local Space, which then manages the homes and lets them to households nominated by the Council. What began with around 150 intermediate rent homes has grown into one of Local Space’s largest sources of new homes, helping reduce reliance on expensive nightly paid accommodation.

Local Space now directly manages over half of its homes, with a strong focus on customer service. The organisation continues to:

• Provide high‑quality homes for people experiencing homelessness.
• Work in partnership with local authority partners.
• Review and reshape its portfolio to stay focused on its core mission.

What began in 2006 as an innovative experiment has become a thriving, independent housing association supporting thousands of people in London.