Last year saw construction start on the largest ever number of City Hall backed affordable homes, according a new cross-party report from the London Assembly.
The latest annual Affordable Housing Monitor shows that 17,256 affordable starts got underway in the financial year 2019/20, meeting Mayor Sadiq Khan’s minimum annual target of 17,000 starts.
Despite this success, AMs on the housing committee caution that an average of 19,013 starts will be needed over each of the next three years if the Mayor is to deliver the remaining 57,040 homes needed to meet his goal of 116,000 homes by 2023.
Committee Chair and Labour AM, Murad Qureshi, said: “There is still a long way to go before London’s housing needs are met and these affordable homes progress figures show that Mayor Sadiq Khan still has a tough job on his hands.
“Despite increasing numbers over his mayoral term, the Mayor must continue to increase annual output to reach his target of 116,000 affordable starts by 2023.
“As London’s share of the next Affordable Homes Programme has decreased, there may be further challenges ahead. More progress could be made with affordable housing if the Government devolves more powers and funding to the Mayor.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted housing delivery in the capital, but we don’t know the full extent yet. What is clear though is that affordable housing isn’t an area to be glossed over, as it heavily impacts so many Londoners, who need a home that is truly affordable.
“The London Assembly Housing Committee will keep a close watch on the Mayor’s record and we will continue to press to make sure Londoners have access to an affordable home.”
