Sadiq Khan Falls Short on Affordable Housing Goals

The target for affordable homes in London has been significantly reduced, now set between 23,900 and 27,200 annually, translating to approximately 1,100 homes per quarter. Affordable homes are defined as those sold or rented at 20% below local market value, aimed at assisting local residents struggling with high market prices. The Conservative Party has urged Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to place the Greater London Authority (GLA) under “special measures,” citing alarmingly low construction rates of affordable homes in the capital. London Assembly member Lord Bailey criticized the current administration, stating that the number of new homes built under Mayor Sadiq Khan has reached record lows, with provisional figures for 2023/4 indicating only 14,590 net additional dwellings. This figure marks the lowest in over two decades, highlighting a stark contrast to the housing downturn experienced in other English regions. Bailey emphasized the urgent need for political unity to address the housing crisis affecting many Londoners. In response to the crisis, Rayner has proposed a housing “revolution” aimed at overhauling the planning system across England. She described the current housing situation as the “most acute housing crisis in living memory,” predicting that new home completions could fall below 200,000 this year. The Labour government plans to increase the overall housing target to 370,000 homes annually, while London’s target will decrease from 100,000 to 80,000, a move Rayner defended as necessary. The Mayor of London’s office contended that Khan has consistently met affordable housing targets, including a commitment to build 116,000 new genuinely affordable homes during the last Affordable Homes Programme, contrasting with the previous government's failure to meet its national targets.