The first people moving into new council houses built on the site of disused garages have picked up their keys.

Six Harrow families made the move into Sunflower Mews and Dunnock Drive, Stanmore – the first council houses to be built in the borough for a generation.

They are the first of 80 homes which are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

Cllr Glen Hearnden, cabinet member for housing at Harrow Council, said the new houses were representative of the desire to improve the borough as a whole.

He said: “With these new homes we’re building a better Harrow for some of our most in-need families.

“It’s not just the six Harrow families who’ve moved into these new family homes that have  benefited – we’ve also freed up their previous housing meaning dozens of families previously in overcrowded or temporary accommodation are now in permanent homes.

“We are looking forward to providing even more homes over the next year – showing that this administration is committed to helping those in need in Harrow.”

Harrow has one of the lowest levels of affordable housing in London with just 5,000 council and 5,000 social homes available.

As of June this year, more than 1,200 Harrow families were on the waiting list for social housing and 966 families were living in temporary accommodation.

Speaking about the new houses being built, leader of the council, Sachin Shah, said: “There is a housing crisis in London and in this country. Harrow is no different.

“So having new council housing that allow families to move in, will free up other properties for other families to move in.

“I'm incredibly proud to be the leader of a council that is building council properties - it is exactly what councils should be doing.”

The new homes have all been built to ‘Living Standard’ with wider doorways, lower light switches, a downstairs shower room and space to install a lift if needed.

Sunflower Mews features a bedroom and wet room with toilet downstairs – making the homes accessible for elderly residents or those with disabilities.

The new homes are energy efficient and installed with SMART meters that measure gas and electricity use to reduce fuel costs for new residents.

Sunflower Mews will also feature a play area to the front of the homes for the local community to enjoy.

Nimo Aden, who will be moving into one of the houses in Sunflower Mews with her mum and two brothers, said: “I’m super excited that we’re finally moving in after six years waiting for a new home.

“The property is perfect for us. My mum has mobility issues so the downstairs bedroom and bathroom will really help her.”

And mum-of-four Sagal Gurhan, who is also moving into one of the new homes, said: “[Our old house] was overcrowded with three of us in each room. I’m so happy my boys and girls can have their own bedrooms now.”