A National Plan to End Homelessness
A strategy to tackle homelessness was presented to Parliament in December 2025 by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP.
He said “We’re building more social and affordable homes by a £39 billion investment and banning no-fault evictions. We’re investing in homelessness services to act early, supporting councils ensuring there’s join up between public services to prevent rather than just manage crises.”
The House of Commons Library has issued a report on temporary accommodation.
Hounslow Council Leader responds to criticism about finances
On 11th November 2025, London Forum published an update containing criticisms by LB Hounslow Councillors of the cost of the Council’s ‘Lampton Group’ and the loans made to it.
In the Chiswick Calendar online magazine, the local authority’s Leader, Shantanu Rajawat, has responded to those criticisms over Hounslow’s finances, as here. He explains how Hounslow’s finances are in “remarkably good shape”.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap
Further to London Forum’s recent update on the Renters’ Rights Act, the Government has published a roadmap with detail on how the reforms will be phased.
It will mean the end of fixed-term tenancies and the abolition of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions from 1st May 2026. The six-month wait means landlords looking to exit the sector may sell up before then, forcing out tenants and indirectly pushing up rents in the process.
In late 2026 there will be a database of all PRS properties.
Land Value Capture
The HCLG Committee announced here their Land Value Capture (LVC) report. There is a summary of its 77 pages. The full report covers the scope for LVC, reform to S.106, reform to CIL and the 1.5m housing target. Recommendations are from page 61.
An Epilogue criticises the Government’s Homes for London policy (See an earlier update). The GLA said (page 59) it can result in inflated land values and slow down delivery and the Committee sent a letter to Steve Reed MP.
Homes for Londoners
The NLA produced a manual ‘Homes for Londoners’.
It aims to support delivery of more social rent homes. The study outlines six key actions with a proposal for a Homes for Londoners Impact Fund.
Details and the publication are here.
This initiative must be considered against the Government’s new National Housing Bank and reduction in 35% affordable homes target covered by an earlier London Forum update.
Renters’ Rights Act
A new Act of Parliament protects renters from ‘no fault’ evictions and gives them the right to end tenancies with two months’ notice.
Shelter produced here advice for private renters and Pinsent Masons issued a guide for landlords here.
Renters will see further reforms to end bidding wars and to stop landlords demanding more than one month’s rent upfront. Tenants will be able also to challenge unfair rent increases and ask to keep a pet.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
Clarifying design codes
Statutory Consultees
Statutory consultees play an important role in the planning application process by providing expert advice on significant environmental, transport, safety, and heritage issues. There are currently 13 organisations that local planning authorities [more…]
-
Densifying the suburbs
📆 Thu 29th January | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
The next London Plan, with its much higher housing targets, will increase the pressure for higher densities in the suburbs. It could guide high-density housing / mixed-use development to high accessibility locations. The shape of the new strategy will be a key issue for the new London Plan. We’ll discuss these and related issues at this Open Meeting on 29th January – please book here ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/densifying-the-suburbs/?occurrence=2026-01-29#booking ) Issues What is the vision? What should the strategy be? (Speaker: Prof. Tony Travers), and What would be needed to…
-
Member Services Committee meeting
📅 Thu 5th February | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
-
Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 12th February | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)



![Statutory consultees jigsaw - inspired by image by Markus Winkler [Unsplash] and made with AI](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Statutory_consultees.jpg?fit=1536%2C1024&ssl=1)