London Mayor boosts council homebuilding to highest level in 34 years and breaks record for numbers of affordable homes started.
Figures recently released show a record-breaking number of affordable homes were started with City Hall’s support last year – including the highest number of new council homes in London in 34 years.
The new statistics show 14,544 affordable homes were started in the year 2018/19 – more than in any year since City Hall took control of housing investment in the capital and exceeding the target of 14,000 agreed with Government ministers.
This total includes more homes at social rent levels, 3,991 and 1,916 council homes – more than in any year since 1984/85.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “These record-breaking figures show that focusing on building council and social rented homes for Londoners is the right way to tackle the capital’s housing crisis.
“My Building Council Homes for Londoners programme has made huge progress already – with more council homes started than in any year since 1985. Councils are beginning to build again after decades of their hands being tied behind their backs – but national Government needs to match our ambition and determination to deliver the homes Londoners so urgently need.
“We currently receive only a fraction of the affordable housing investment needed in London. Ministers must make a real step-change in the funding and powers we have in London if we are to truly turn around the capital’s housing crisis.”
