Mayor’s housing plans need to be more ambitious

In response to the Mayor of London’s announcement on Wednesday, May 16 on council homes, Sian Berry AM, chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said: “The Mayor’s announcement, which aims to kick-start the building of more council homes, is a step in the right direction to help solve London’s housing crisis. We are pleased that the Mayor is focusing these resources on building more truly affordable homes, based on social rent levels and not at the definition that goes up to 80% of market rents.”

“Only 9% of the Mayor’s last tranche of grant funding went to councils, with the rest going to housing associations, and it’s positive that he is doing more this year to help councils secure these grants. If the Mayor is to build the number of homes at real social rents that London needs, his plans will have to be even more ambitious.”

“As a committee, we are also keen to make sure that these grants go only to additional new council homes for Londoners, not replacements for homes being demolished as part of development schemes.”