The large-scale initiative, the first of its kind in nearly three decades, involves repainting the exterior of every council home, with priority given to those that have awaited the work the longest. Residents whose homes are still due for repainting will be contacted with further information.
This programme revives the tradition of regularly repainting Harlow’s historic council housing. The work helps to protect the homes and improve the overall appearance of entire streets. The launch of this programme is part of the council’s record investment in council housing through its 'Building Harlow’s Future' initiative.
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, commented on the progress: “For many years, Harlow had a proud tradition of regularly repainting its council homes. It was part of the care and attention that kept our neighbourhoods looking their best. Nearly 30 years ago, that stopped. Whole streets were left to weather and fade, and residents waited far too long for that basic pride in their homes to be restored. We promised to end that chapter. Now, many homes have already been repainted, with many more to come. This sends a clear message to our tenants: your home matters. Your street matters. And we’re investing record amounts to give both the care they deserve. We’re Building Harlow’s Future, and that means making a difference people can see every time they open their front door.”
Councillor David Carter, Cabinet Member for Housing, added: “This programme is about looking after our council homes for the long term and giving residents freshly painted homes they can take pride in. Many have already been completed, and we are prioritising properties that have waited longest for a repaint. Residents whose homes are still awaiting work will hear from us soon about the next steps. The improvements reach beyond each individual property. As more homes are completed, the appearance of whole streets improves, helping restore pride across our neighbourhoods. I want to thank the teams delivering this work and residents for their cooperation as we continue the programme.”
