The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (ODPM) has announced proposals to give Regional Assemblies, including the GLA, responsibility for drawing up their own housing strategies.
At present Regional Housing Boards – which bring together local authorities, Government Offices of the Regions and delivery agents such as Regional Development Agencies and the Housing Corporation – are responsible for producing UK regional housing strategies for agreement by the ODPM.
The new proposals would merge Regional Housing Boards with Regional Planning Bodies to improve the development of housing strategy, to help better tackle the drive for more affordable homes. In London the new body would be led by the Mayor.
Responding to the plans Ken Livingstone said: These proposals will improve democratic accountability and make a significant difference to our ability to address London’s need for new affordable homes.
‘They will also strengthen the link between housing investment on the one hand and investment in London’s transport and other infrastructure, and help us to build thriving sustainable communities.
‘In my new role, I will continue to work closely with partners on the existing housing board as well as the wider group of stakeholders on the Housing Forum for London whose experience and input are vital to deliver more and better homes for Londoners.”
