Brent Council has been awarded over £2m to tackle overcrowding following a successful bid in November.

The cash boost - to improve the living conditions of over crowded council tenants - was the result of joint working between Brent Council and Brent Housing Partnership, the company that looks after council housing.

£1.5m was awarded to the borough from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to convert or extend 50 existing council-owned properties.

A further £650k was awarded to provide cash incentives for people to buy larger homes on the open market.

This funding will be used to tackle the very serious problem of overcrowding for families living in council property - especially those needing three bedrooms or more.

Chair of BHP board, Kathy Ellison, said: "Our successful working relationship with Brent Council will benefit many council tenants across the borough by making real improvements to their living conditions."

BHP will also be Brent Council's delivery partner - carrying out the work to improve these properties.

Cllr James Allie, Lead Member for Housing, said: "The council is committed to targeting overcrowding and finding solutions to this London-wide problem as a key priority. We believe that priority should be given to developing larger units to meet the needs of those applying for housing. The provision of larger units will have a particularly positive impact on Black and Minority Ethnic applications."