London mayor promises 50% increase in housing over next three years and more family properties

Ken Livingstone has pledged to build 50,000 more affordable homes over the next three in London. The London mayor said the 50% increase in the delivery of the properties for the capital would meet the “desperate need” for housing.

Cartwright Pickard affordable homes in Islington
Cartwright Pickard's affordable housing in Islington

The plans are part of a new housing strategy released by the mayor yesterday, who now has direct responsibility for London’s affordable housing budget.

The plan reinforces the target of 50% of all new homes being affordable. It also intends to increase the supply of family homes – the target for social rented housing with three or more bedroom will increase from 35% to 40%. Livingstone also wants houses to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes and expects “new larger strategic development to deliver additional environmental benefits, such as combined colling, heat and power”.

Livingstone said: ““This strategy is a blueprint for tackling London’s unique housing challenges. We will build more affordable homes because that is what London is crying out for, which is why there will be no rowing back from the fifty per cent affordable housing target across London. Any attempt to water down the fifty per cent affordable housing target would make it harder to get the new homes we need.”

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