Sadiq Khan blames government failures for rising homelessness

Khan is either stupid or a liar. I don’t think he’s stupid.

Homelessness is caused by too many people, too few properties and poor use of existing housing stock.

We all know why there are too many people. If we need more people, we need to build homes and infrastructure to accommodate them - before they arrive.

Loads of houses are being built up and down the country. But there will always be more people regardless of the number of houses being built.

People are living longer. The elderly live in large properties. Stamp duty and other moving costs prevents many from moving. Some don’t want to. Equity release schemes allow people to remain in large properties when otherwise they would downsize to release equity. The benefits system encourages couples to live apart. I know couples that do this because their rents are paid by the taxpayer. They have one of their children each to qualify for greater benefits.

Section 21 (or Section 8) are notices seeking possession. Once the tenant leaves, most landlords would normally re-let to new tenants.

There’s no impact on homelessness, just a change the names of those who are homeless.

That is unless the landlord switches to holiday lets or keeps the property empty. They may do this because of the anti-landlord taxation and the likely removal of Section 21.

Other landlords will sell up. This doesn’t impact homelessness either. It simply means that somebody could become a homeowner.

Of course, Khan wants landlords to keep their properties but to let them out at loss-making rents to house his voters.

I have many empty properties, but bitter experience has taught me to not let to anyone who is likely to claim legal aid.

I have watched the London Assembly on several occassions where Khan was scrutinised on housing and other matters.
Every time Sian Berry (greens) and the Labour representatives would ask what he would do about renters he would say that he grew up in a council house and that he would cap rents and that he would base this on the average wage in the area.

He obviously wants to align private rents with council rents while ignoring all the additional overheads that we are saddled with.

He also says that he cannot wait to get rid of section 21

With a majority Labour government installed in Westminster God knows what he will get away with.

Reply to the comment left by Stella at 04/07/2024 - 10:19Londoners get what they deserve for voting him in. I couldn't wait to leave the City I grew up in and loved, but it all started to go downhill when Khan was elected.

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 04/07/2024 - 10:35
I agree.
I am also very annoyed with the conservatives for not giving a lot more support to getting Susan Hall elected.

Not knowing who is responsible for providing long term social housing I turned to CHATGPT for some guidance.
This was the response:-

“In the UK, the responsibility for providing long-term social housing primarily falls on local authorities (councils) and housing associations. Here’s a breakdown of their roles:

1. Local Authorities: They are responsible for assessing housing needs in their areas and ensuring that there is sufficient housing to meet these needs. They manage waiting lists for social housing and allocate homes based on priority criteria. Councils may own and manage social housing properties directly or work with housing associations to provide these services.
2. Housing Associations: These are independent, not-for-profit organizations that provide social housing. They operate similarly to local authorities but are often more flexible and innovative in managing and developing housing stock. Housing associations can receive government grants to build and maintain affordable housing.

The central government, through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sets the policy framework and provides funding for social housing. However, the direct responsibility for delivering and managing social housing lies with local authorities and housing associations. Additionally, the central government monitors the performance and efficiency of these bodies to ensure that they meet housing needs effectively.

In summary, while the central government sets policies and provides funding, local authorities and housing associations are ultimately responsible for providing long-term social housing in the UK.”

If this us is true, i am confused!

Reply to the comment left by JeggNegg at 04/07/2024 - 11:12
Let me enlighten you. The government, national and local, has failed to provide enough social housing and has to blame someone other than itself. Private landlords are first in the firing line.
There is no logic to the situation, just the blame culture.

So what did he do with the £12 billion? The government gave him towards homebuilding which nothing was spent doing that?

Reply to the comment left by Stella at 04/07/2024 - 10:56
Another example of the Tories having had enough. They didn't want the mess that is now London.

I look forward to Labour reducing immigration