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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan succeeds in meeting 116,000 affordable housing construction target
Nov 6, 2023
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan succeeds in meeting 116,000 affordable housing construction target London
By   Internet
  • City News
  • London property
  • affordable housing
  • UK housing market
Abstract: According to the London Council's announcement, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has successfully achieved the goal of initiating the construction of 116,000 affordable homes by March this year. This is a significant milestone, taking a solid step towards addressing London's housing issues.

Reportedly, 55,000 affordable homes have been completed so far, while the remaining 62,000 are expected to be delivered by 2029.


Funding for these housing projects comes from the UK government's Affordable Homes Programme, which began in 2016 and is set to continue until 2023, with a total allocation of £4.82 billion. The implementation of this program provides more opportunities for London residents facing high rents and unaffordable mortgages, helping them access affordable housing.


Labour's London Council spokesperson for housing issues, Sem Moma, stated, "Housing is the biggest challenge facing Londoners, with many struggling under the pressure of high rents and escalating mortgage payments. The latest data shows that London is leading in affordable housing construction, with the completion of over 55,000 units."


Despite the high costs of materials and labor, as well as the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor of London has successfully achieved the goal of commencing the construction of 116,000 homes by March 2023. This recognizes his efforts to improve London's housing issues. However, it must be recognized that there is still more work to be done.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan succeeds in meeting 116,000 affordable housing construction target

Sem Moma emphasized that in addition to the efforts of the Mayor of London, the national government should also increase investment in affordable housing. First, it is necessary to abolish the Section 21 'no-fault' eviction rule to protect tenants from the threat of unjust evictions.


Furthermore, it is essential to raise the standards for local housing subsidies, which will help more people afford housing. Only through these measures can we completely eliminate homelessness and ensure that everyone has a secure and comfortable living environment.


Sem Moma called on the government to seriously consider granting the mayor the power to freeze rents to prevent the housing crisis from worsening. Freezing rents can alleviate the economic pressure on London residents to some extent and provide them with a more stable housing situation.


In 2021, Sadiq Khan pledged to launch an additional 35,000 homes between 2021 and 2026. According to the UK government's "Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26," the government will allocate another £4 billion. However, the London Council has indicated that due to changing market conditions and delays in the plans, these housing projects have not yet commenced, making the original targets more challenging.

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan succeeds in meeting 116,000 affordable housing construction target
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