Sadiq Khan calls for continued support for council housing

Sadiq Khan is urging the government “not to completely give up on council housing” as a vital way of delivering affordable homes.

His comments come after new figures show London delivering twice as many council homes as the rest of the country combined.

The figures from the government reveal that last year, local authorities in London started building twice as many council homes than the rest of the country combined, with nearly 11,000 new council homes started in 2022/23.

Golden era of council housebuilding

According to Mr Khan, London has entered a “golden era of council housebuilding”.

Since 2016, more than 32,000 council homes have been started in London, with 23,000 directly funded by City Hall. This compares to just 3,520 council homes started in London in the entire decade before Mr Khan became Mayor.

Since the Mayor took office in 2016, London has started work on nearly 5,000 more council homes when compared to other parts of England.

According to the Mayor, housing completions are 20% higher in London than the rest of the country and London has completed more homes of all types in recent years than at any time since the 1930s, including delivering higher council homebuilding than at any time since the 1970s – more than the rest of the country combined.

A secure long-term home

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am proud of the hard work and ambition shown by City Hall, boroughs and our housing partners to create a new golden era of council housing in the capital.

“We inherited a city where council homebuilding was nearly extinct and many believed it couldn’t be revived.

“We have proven them wrong and are now reversing the years of decline. Every new home we deliver, whether that is funded by City Hall or boroughs, is another London family given the secure, long-term home they deserve.”

The London mayor added council homes provide a lifeline for many families.

He said: “In contrast, the national figures for council homes are truly appalling. Today I’m urging the government not to completely give up on council housing as a vital way of delivering affordable homes.”

“I grew up on a council estate, so I know the vital role council homes play in providing security for families.

“I’m determined that we continue to do all we can to build on the success of recent years, empower councils and work with all those involved in building new council homes, so we build a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

London facing a social housing crisis

However, rents in London are continuing to rise and London is facing a social housing crisis.

According to the latest figures, one in 23 children in the capital are living in insecure B&Bs. Rents in London have also increased by 8% year-on-year, with the average rent now at £582, according to Foxtons.

Mr Khan does acknowledge a social housing crisis in the capital and claims he will take decisive action to fix it.

He said: “I will continue to take decisive steps to address the social housing crisis, stemming the tide of loss and replenishing London’s council house stock.

“Bringing these homes into public ownership is a key part of my plan to build a better London for everyone – a city that is greener, fairer and more prosperous for all.”

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