The Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority, the new regulator for affordable housing, has called on social housing landlords to “focus more” on their tenants and better involve them in decisions about the services they use.

Building sustainable communities is to be a key priority for the two new public bodies responsible for championing rights and delivering affordable housing across England.

Figures released last week show the capital has more than 80,000 homes lying empty. The figures, released by the Empty Homes Agency, show the number increased from 80,691 to 82,327 between 2007 and 2008 despite falling the previous year.

Boris Johnson yesterday announced a three year, £77m project to regenerate the capital’s housing estates. The money is being made available to “kick-start” existing projects which have stalled because of the economic downturn.

Boris Johnson has approved a major new development in East London which will see the construction of almost 500 homes for social and affordable use plus space for retail, healthcare and educational use.