Compassionate design at the heart of new affordable homes in east London

Image: Stroudley Walk, Bromley-by-Bow (courtesy Muse and Poplar HARCA)

A partnership between Poplar HARCA, Tower Hamlets Council, nationwide place-maker Muse, and design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe has delivered 82 new affordable homes for rent at Stroudley Walk, Bromley-by-Bow – including two specially designed autism-friendly family homes that are already transforming lives.

Tower Hamlets Council has been speaking about the project:

'The autism-friendly design guidance pioneered by Tower Hamlets Council, responds to a growing need for such homes. The borough has seen a significant rise in housing applications from families with autistic children, many of whom require larger, safer, more suitable homes that are in critically short supply. The Stroudley Walk development offers a total of 10 new accessible homes for local families.

'Poplar HARCA is among the first Tower Hamlets based housing providers actively applying the council's autism-friendly design principles to create more inclusive and supportive homes. The council has been using these design-principles in its own home building programme for a number of years.'

The Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “I cannot stress how important building housing and providing homes for our residents is to me. I am proud of our partnership with Poplar HARCA and what we have achieved here. This initiative is more than housing, it’s about dignity, inclusion, and designing with empathy. By listening to families and working collaboratively, we’re setting a new standard for what accessible, autism-friendly homes can and should be."

Kamal Hussain, who with his family will soon move into one of the autism-friendly homes said: “We have been waiting for a long time to get a house on medical grounds, and now we have it. Four bedrooms upstairs, a living room and a kitchen downstairs. The garden is beautiful; our children, my wife, all our family are happy.”

The autism-friendly homes include features such as sensory-friendly fittings, enclosed staircases and secure kitchens — all designed to reduce supervision needs and increase safety.

Danielle Bishop, Head of Housing for Poplar HARCA, said: “The new accessible homes at Stroudley Walk are sanctuaries — calm, safe, spaces that support independence and wellbeing.”

Tower Hamlets Council commented:

'With over 30,000 households on Tower Hamlets’ Housing Register and an average of 82 new applications a week, many in overcrowded or temporary accommodation, the 82 new homes for affordable rent that include a total of 10 accessible homes, offer real hope and lasting impact.

'The wider Stroudley Walk regeneration will deliver 274 new homes in total, of which 33 will be for shared ownership.  The remainder of the new homes, a further 3 new shops, new green spaces and a community hub, are expected to complete in spring next year.'