London Housing Ambitions Come Under Scrutiny
London faces a daunting challenge as the Greater London Authority (GLA) has set an ambitious target of constructing 88,000 new homes annually, far surpassing the city’s historical output. Recent reports indicate that the average housing delivery over the past decade has ranged between 30,000 and 45,000 homes per year.
Affordable Homes in Short Supply
The need for affordable housing in London has been a pressing issue for years. The GLA has previously reported a requirement for 42,841 affordable homes each year between 2016 and 2041. Unfortunately, the latest Affordable Housing Monitor indicates that only 7,674 affordable homes were delivered in the year 2023-24, which accounts for a mere 18 per cent of the annual target.
The Mayor’s Commitments Ahead of GLA Elections
The Mayor’s recent manifesto for the upcoming GLA elections features several significant pledges aimed at tackling the housing crisis:
- Build 40,000 new council homes by the end of the decade.
- Eliminate rough sleeping by 2030 in collaboration with a Labour government.
- Enhance support for renters by introducing affordable ‘rent control homes’ and empowering residents to negotiate with landlords through a New Deal for Renters.
Panel Discussion to Address Housing Strategies
On Tuesday, 6 January 2026, the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee will convene to examine the housing delivery plans and budgets for 2026-27 set forth by the GLA and its associated bodies. The meeting will feature two panels:
Panel 1 – GLA and the Affordable Homes Programme
- Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
- Tim Steer, Executive Director for Housing
- Natalie Daniels, Assistant Director, Housing Programmes and Partnerships
- Amy Simmons, Head of Area, Housing and Land team
- Simon Powell, Assistant Director of Strategic Projects and Property
- Ellen Storrar, Head of Specialist Housing and Services
Panel 2 – Functional Body Affordable Housing Delivery
- Shazia Hussain, Chief Executive, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)
- Richard Irish, Chief Operational Officer, LLDC
- Darren Parker, Executive Director of Development, LLDC
- Dame Karen Buck, Chair Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC)
- Matt Carpen, Chief Executive Officer, OPDC
- Gurdip Juty, Chief Finance Officer, OPDC
- Graeme Craig, Director & Chief Executive at Places for London
The session will be held at 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, located at Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE. Members of the media and the public are invited to attend, with the option to view the meeting live via webcast or later on YouTube.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/how-will-london-fund-its-housing-needs
