The original estate at Brook House in Ealing was built in the 1930s, with additional homes built in the 1970s. However, many of these homes were no longer fit for modern living standards and were not suitable for refurbishment. 

We strongly believe that providing good-quality, affordable homes for women is critically important, particularly during this cost-of-living and energy crisis. To meet this need, we set ourselves ambitious growth plans with our pioneering development in Ealing.  

One of the consequences of the gender pay gap is a gender gap in housing affordability. London’s affordable housing crisis disproportionately impacts women, constraining their ability to afford rent. The new homes in development at the site of Brook House will provide a safe, secure, and genuinely affordable place to call home. 

The redevelopment will replace 39 homes with 102 homes in a fifteen-storey tower block, all to be let at social rent. The estate, formerly called Brook House, has been amended to Brooke House, a subtle reference to Emma Brooke, an often-forgotten novelist and campaigner for the rights of women.  

Our newly named development, Brooke House, started on site in February 2024 with progress during the year advancing rapidly. In May 2025, construction achieved a milestone reaching the final storey of the tower. At an event to commemorate this milestone, resident Board members, WPH staff, Ealing council and partners attended a Topping Out ceremony. 

Tracey Downie, WPH Chief Executive, said “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. This new building will provide a real home for many single women in dire need. We are more than just “bricks and mortar” - we support our residents’ independence, and this new building will provide a real home for many women who face acute housing insecurity” 

Ealing council leader, Peter Mason, was in strong support of our planning application for the redevelopment at Brooke House and attended the Topping Out ceremony. He said “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. 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”. 

Brook House is an example of our mission, and we are proud to be working in partnership Ealing council and with L&Q, one of the largest social housing providers in the country. L&Q supported Women’s Pioneer Housing through the planning, design and delivery phases of the project. Further, partnership with Ealing council and L&Q is an example of how we tackled the commissioning processes that often slows down funding for specialist housing for women. 

HG Construction started works at Brooke House 2024, with completion targeted for June 2026. Residents are expected to move in shortly afterwards.