Affordable housing:
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A few home truths for London’s developers
If you ask most Londoners what their single biggest financial hurdle is, it’s the cost of getting a roof over their heads. Quickly followed by keeping it there.
While developers throw up thousands of luxury flats, the city is crying out for good quality housing that ordinary people can afford.
I'll use tough planning rules to make sure developers include real affordable housing – for rent not just one-off sales – in all new developments. I will increase the target for these homes in the London Plan to 60%.
I'll also stop people interpreting the word ‘affordable’ to suit their own ends. I will button down a much tighter definition of the word and make sure that we really do end up with more homes for people in the social rented sector.
I know I’ll get opposition. I know that vested interests don’t want to lose profits by building homes that are within the reach of ordinary people. But I’m going to use the Mayor’s planning powers to defend those people for once, and I’m confident we’ll get the homes we need.
If you’ve been after a decent place to live and found it impossible, I’d like to hear your experience. Tell me right here and now.
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