Mayor aims to halve capital's severe overcrowding by 2016

Mayor's Office Release 21 May 2009

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced today an ambitious pledge to halve severe overcrowding in London's social housing sector by 2016, the first city in the UK to make this commitment, together with proposals to deliver more family-sized affordable housing.

As the Mayor published his revised housing strategy for public consultation he outlined the major achievements to date. This includes the successful launch of his First Steps Housing programme, to give a helping hand to first time buyers on modest incomes, and a doubling of the capital's empty homes programme.

The Mayor also outlined how, as a direct result of his housing strategy published last November, £186 million has been invested by the London Homes and Communities Agency to kick-start stalled housing developments across the capital. This is equivalent to unlocking one halted regeneration scheme a week since March.

Thanks to a stronger, more co-operative partnership with the boroughs, great progress has been made in agreeing 80 per cent of the individual targets to deliver 50,000 more affordable homes across London by 2011. The borough targets could deliver more social housing than any other investment round since 1994, and more affordable housing since the GLA was established. The Mayor believes that those boroughs, with an agreed housing delivery target, a sound housing strategy and the capacity to deliver should have a much greater say over what is built in their local area.

Progress has also been made on the Mayor's commitment to eliminate rough sleeping in London by 2012 with the establishment of the new London Delivery Board, which brings together the support, passion and expertise of London's key organisations to deliver this ambitious commitment.

"The past year has been a turbulent one the economy and housing market in the capital but I will not let that deter our hugely important work to deliver more affordable housing for Londoners.

"We are developing new housing sites each week, building new homes and bringing previously run down housing back into use, working closely with the capital's boroughs

"There are tough times ahead but London is now seeing co-ordinated, creative and innovative approaches to development which will ensure we emerge stronger from the downturn.

"I am extremely confident we will achieve our goals of halving severe overcrowding, delivering more quality affordable housing and widening housing choices for Londoners."

London Councils' Executive Member for Housing Councillor Steve Reed said:

"Unless we work together to ensure the continued delivery of new homes in London, the capital risks seeing overcrowding rise to Dickensian levels.

"London's boroughs will work closely with the Mayor and our other partners to ensure every Londoner can look forward to living in a home that meets the very highest space standards. Now is the time for everyone working in housing and the building industry - be it private or public sectors - to rise to the challenge and meet the housing needs of all Londoners."

Belinda Porich, Head of London Region, National Housing Federation said:

"The National Housing Federation London has led the campaign to reduce overcrowding in the capital and we are delighted to see the Mayor's commitment to halve severe overcrowding by 2016.

"Thousands of Londoners' lives are made miserable by overcrowding and we know that our housing association members will play a significant part in meeting this target. To do this we need to build more and larger homes. Housing associations are leading the way in developing this new affordable housing, despite the tough current circumstances.

"The Mayor's Strategy must prioritise decent, safe and affordable housing for Londoners. Its success will be judged on how far this is achieved."

The Draft Report is available here.