THE Queen Mary College and former Jaguar Garage sites in South Woodford could help to increase the amount of affordable housing in the borough.

An agreement signed by Redbridge Council and other organisations will see a boost to the provision of affordable housing in the borough.

As the council has been unable to build new homes itself, it has gone into partnership with housing associations and nine social registered landlords.

After becoming one of the first councils to establish a preferred partnership scheme in 1997, it has now reviewed the situation with housing and acted to address the needs of the borough.

It has made sure that partners chosen will meet these needs and will be working in tandem with the different organisations to provide new affordable social housing in Redbridge over the next three years.

Groups in the partnership include the East Thames Housing Group, Circle 33 Housing Group, Industrial Dwellings Society, John Grooms Housing Association, London and Quadrant Housing Trust, Metropolitan Housing Trust, Newlon Housing Trust, Places For People Group and Swan Housing Association.

As well as being providers of housing needs generally, the groups also offer housing for people with learning difficulties, elderly people and residents from ethnic communities.

There will be money available for housing in Redbridge through the Housing Corporation and the council will match partners in the scheme with private developers, in order to manage the amount of affordable housing needed. It will be able to nominate residents to live in the homes that become available.

Schemes that are currently under discussion include the Queen Mary Halls of Residence and the former Jaguar Garage, South Woodford, Unity Square, Pioneer Point, Ilford Wharf and the Sainsbury's site in Ilford.

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Jim O'Shea said: "In the coming years, there will be major and exciting opportunities in Redbridge for the provision of affordable housing through the regeneration of Woodford, Ilford Town Centre, Gants Hill, Barkingside and other general housing schemes.

"We expect our partners to take a lead role in these developments and, using their skills and experience, maximise the opportunities available.

"This will help ensure the council is able to meet its housing duties and deliver other important objectives such as community safety, neighbourhood renewal and health initiatives."