Partnership set up to speed up housing programme

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by Kay Murchie

A new partnership has been set up to help speed up the delivery of London’s £3 billion housing programme.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the Government said they would join forces to create the London Homes and Communities Agency Board which will be a local sub-committee of the main HCA.

The board will be chaired by Mr Livingstone while HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake will be vice-chairman. London Boroughs will also be represented and fully involved in the process.

Mr Livingstone said the new housing strategy sets out clear policies to help make housing more affordable for Londoners and especially for those struggling to find family housing.

The Mayor added that he and Sir Bob Kerslake have agreed a clear basis on which the new Homes and Communities Agency will work in London and are looking forward to working closely with boroughs, builders and local communities to help provide the homes the city needs.

The new scheme will have 3 objectives: to deliver a considerable increase in the amount of homes in a way that is environmentally sustainable. To substantially increase the amount of affordable family homes and to form communities in which people want to live by targeting and reviving deprived areas of London.

New Housing Minister, Caroline Flint said it is vital that we increase the amount of affordable housing in London while ensuring homes are built where they are needed the most.

HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake said London will form a key part of the programme of the new Homes and Communities Agency. The key to the delivery of more high quality affordable homes in London is for the HCA to support the delivery of the Mayor’s housing strategy through the establishment of a close working relationship with the Mayor’s Office and every London Borough.