Jan 31, 2021
Join me as I take an in-depth look at how our current Mayor of London has failed to deliver on his pledge to build 80,000 new homes a year, despite receiving a record amount of money.
Life is incredibly challenging right now and for many this is only heightened by the fact our most basic human needs are not being met, moreover, considered a priority by those that lead us.
We face a housing crisis in our capital that is compounded by our current economic emergency. Our leaders have failed to act once again, and the lack of direction does little to promote prosperity or confidence.
67% of Londoners see housing as the key issue we faced as a society, something Sadiq Khan seized upon with his manifesto.
And yet since becoming mayor in May 2016, the building of only 34,515 homes has even started, with a mere 12,000 of those having been completed.
Promise after promise falls by the wayside and all of this amidst a backdrop of accusations that our government has failed to deliver investment. The need for housing has increased exponentially. Population in the capital has been growing by 1.1% on average annually since 2012. This equates to 96,000 additional people each year.
OUR MAYOR HAS FAILED IN HIS PROMISES TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR OUR CITIZENS
We must address this problem as a matter of urgency, particularly as we head into 2021 and the challenge of reigniting our battered economy and the austere times we currently face.
Affordable housing for our key workers, the police force, teachers and transport employees is a must and the prerequisite of any thriving metropolis.
We need a change of leadership, a change of direction and fresh hope at a time when each is severely lacking.
As your next Mayor of London, I promise to put London’s Housing First by:
- Ensuring that Londoners have affordable home options to rent and buy
- Ensuring our key workers which include teachers, nurses, police and firefighters can affordably live in this city
- Prioritising the building of Modular Housing in boroughs throughout the city to immediately solve the current housing shortage
- Making immediate use of the over 30,000 empty homes in our capital for those in need
- Creating financial incentives for private contractors to profitably build affordable housing
- Enabling local councils to borrow and invest strategically in innovative low cost housing options