Most of the housing made available through Wands-worth Council's "hidden homes" initiative will be let to people in the immediate neighbourhood.
The properties are being created from converting disused storerooms and laundries on housing estates and the council is to give first preference to those within a one-mile radius, in cases where potential tenants have equal priority.
Cabinet member for housing Councillor Martin Johnson said local people in need would now get a real chance of qualifying for the new flats.
He said: "This change will be good for the estate and good for people in the area who will see first hand how the new homes are helping to strengthen their community."
However, Labour speaker on planning, Councillor Sadiq Khan, thought priority should be given to those in greatest need.
"At the moment it's key workers and those on the housing waiting list," he said.
January 30, 2003 09:30
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