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London Assembly applies pressure on government to meet social housing target

The General London Assembly (GLA) has called on the government to release more funding to help it meet its social rented homes quota.

Its last strategic review identified the need for 15,722 homes to be built each year in order to meet demand; however, no further government funds have been forthcoming to help the capital meets the target following the autumn 2015 Spending Review.

The near 16,000 figure represents almost a third of all homes being built in London, and the GLA has called on the Mayor to bring forward a housing budget and a revised London Plan and Housing Strategy to accommodate more social housing.

Sian Berry, who proposed the motion, took aim at the government’s Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the manner in which it pressures local authorities and planners to promote starter homes over social housing.

She said: “Millions of Londoners are struggling to pay their rent, but with Starter Homes the Government is only helping a few lucky people buy a very expensive home.

“We need them to look seriously at the huge need for low rent housing in London and give us the funds and powers to provide social housing for people on lower incomes.”

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