London's Mayor appeals to the Housing Taskforce amidst a deceleration in the advancement of fresh residences

London's housing crisis continues to be a severe issue, with one in 50 Londoners becoming homeless and a significant drop in housebuilding. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has pleaded with the UK government to maintain the pace of affordable homebuilding, as many Londoners struggle with the current cost-of-living.

Khan has urged the central government to provide additional multi-billion-pound investment in housing construction, warning that housebuilding in London is decreasing significantly and could reach levels not seen since World War II. He described these figures as 'appalling'.

National forecasts indicate that the construction sector may face a recession this year. In response, Khan's deputy Mayor for housing and residential development, Tom Copley, and Councillor Darren Rodwell met with key figures in the sector to discuss ways to sustain housing delivery.

The London Housing Delivery Taskforce, a group that includes leaders from London councils, unions, construction bodies, developers, community groups, industry organizations, and housing associations, is urging the government to ensure affordable homes continue to be built in London. They have reported a 41% year-on-year drop in major planning applications.

The Taskforce is planning to present a set of wider asks to the government over the autumn, outlining what is needed by both the private and public sectors to sustain housing delivery. Khan has sent a letter to Michael Gove, requesting an additional £2.2bn in affordable housing investment.

Since his election, Khan has made housing a top priority and has taken numerous steps to increase housebuilding in London. However, he has mentioned that rising costs and pressures in the housing sector are creating a perfect storm of challenges. He warned that developers could halt construction if the government fails to provide funding to revive the housing market.

New figures highlight the acute homelessness crisis in London, adding urgency to Khan's calls for action. The Taskforce's efforts aim to address this crisis and ensure a sustainable future for housing in London.

London's Mayor appeals to the Housing Taskforce amidst a deceleration in the advancement of fresh residences