Harlow Council has announced a major new programme to repaint council homes - marking the first large‑scale initiative of its kind in almost three decades.
The new programme is part of the council’s proposed 2026 budget, which sets out a record £179 million of investment in council housing over the next year. The programme will help modernise homes, improve the appearance of entire streets, and support long‑term neighbourhood, with the exterior of every council property that has waited years set to be repainted.
The programme will be prioritised based on how long homes have been waiting for a repaint with places like the Milwards estate set to benefit.
Announcing the plan, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of the Council emphasised the significance of restarting a long‑abandoned tradition of painting the town’s historic council housing stock.
“For many years, Harlow had a proud tradition of regularly repainting its council homes as part of a rolling programme. Nearly thirty years ago that stopped, and whole streets were left to weather and fade. That chapter ends now.
“This new programme will finally give tenants the freshly painted homes they deserve. It’s about restoring pride not just in individual properties, but in entire neighbourhoods. Most importantly, it sends a clear message to our tenants: your home matters.
“Repainting is just one part of a much wider plan to invest in our housing and renew our neighbourhoods as we Build Harlow’s Future.”