The first women-only social housing development in the UK, a 15-storey tower block in west London, is on track to open in June 2026.
The Brooke House development in Acton, London, recently achieved an important milestone with the completion of its 15-storey structure.
The building replaced an older 39-home estate with a larger and taller development that will consist of 102 social rented flats. The redevelopment of the site also includes landscape improvements and the provision of access to safe outdoor spaces for residents.
Brooke House was previously named “Brook House”, but as part of this revelopment it has had its name changed to honour women’s rights campaigner and novelist Emma Brooke.
Women’s Pioneer Housing, one of only two housing associations in the country offering women’s only homes, and L&Q, one of the largest social housing providers in the country, are leading the construction of the estate.
The development aims to address a growing demand for homes for single women, more than 600 of whom are on Ealing’s housing waiting list, and many of whom face housing insecurity due to domestic abuse, low income, and discrimination.
“The 102 new flats being built at Brook House will provide a safe, secure, genuinely affordable place to call home for some of the hundreds of women on the waiting list for social housing in our borough,” said Ealing council leader Peter Mason.
“London’s affordable housing crisis disproportionately impacts women, who still face a gender pay gap that sees them on average earn less than men. These flats will be a lifeline for women who are unable to privately rent.”
“Women’s Pioneer Housing has worked for more than 100 years with single women, including in Ealing, and we strongly believe that providing more good-quality, affordable homes for women is critically important, particularly during this cost-of-living and energy crisis,” said Women’s Pioneer Housing chief executive Tracey Downie.
“We are more than just ‘bricks and mortar’ – we support our residents’ independence and wellbeing and this new building will provide a real home for many women in dire need.”
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