London Mayor Doubles Council New Builds

The London Mayor has announced plans to double the number of new council homes being built per year.

Sadiq Khan has stretched the council housebuilding target to reach 20,000 new homes by 2024, after achieving the previous goal of 10,000 new properties by the 2021/22 earlier than expected.

This, he argued, would help the capital’s ongoing housing crisis, whereby demand far supersedes supply, causing property prices here to be significantly higher than the national average.

Mr Khan stated: “I’m proud that we’re reversing the decades of decline in council homebuilding and that last year, more council homes were started than in any year since the 1970s, but I’m determined to go even further.”

The London Mayor also promised the standard of council homes will be an improvement, with the new builds being “sustainable and fit for the 21^st century”.

According to his 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme, new council properties need to meet environmental standards to receive funding. What’s more, developments of more than ten houses have to be net zero-carbon and include green spaces.

Southwark is one borough that is behind Mr Khan’s initiative, having started 878 new council homes last year, the largest number in the capital.

Councillor Merrill, Southwark’s cabinet member for council homes and homelessness, commented: “We are proud to be leading the way in the London council homes building renaissance, and providing much-needed new homes for our residents.”

The Affordable Housing Programme aims to provide 180,000 new homes by 2026, with half of these being at discounted rent, and half offered at affordable home ownership. One-tenth will provide support housing, and ten per cent will be in rural areas.

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