Why the capital needs Homes for London

Londoners know that ultimately, the buck stops with the Mayor when it comes to transport. From April, for the first time, the same will be true for housing.

The London reforms in the 2011 Localism Act mean a transferring of housing and regeneration powers and responsibilities away from central Government to the Mayor and the Greater London Authority.

The next Mayor will take control of London’s housing budget. He or she will also have control over land and assets in London which can be used to deliver new homes. They will also establish a Mayoral development corporation to over-see the development of the Olympic Park housing legacy.

This gives the next Mayor a unique opportunity to pull together the complex web of departments and budgets that already exist on housing into a simple, public-focused agency – Homes for London. This agency shouldn’t just be focused on affordable housing, but help make sure rented homes are cheaper and of better quality, and it becomes easier for young professionals to buy a home in the capital.

Shelter’s Homes for London is calling on the next Mayor of London to use their new powers to give housing the same leadership and profile as TfL does for transport. Londoners deserve better, more affordable homes. They need the next Mayor to make this a reality. They want to know that the Mayor is giving housing the priority it deserves.

In association with Homes for London. CLICK HERE for more.