The Mayor of London has unveiled ambitious plans to deliver 55,000 new affordable homes by 2015 with the potential to create over 100,000 jobs over the next four years.

Speaking at the National Housing Federation, the Mr Boris Johnson set out the details of his revised housing strategy, which outlines how he will take on new housing powers secured in the Localism Act, tackle Londoners' housing needs and deliver 55,000 affordable homes over this investment round. This includes a significant proportion of family-sized housing with new homes designed to the Mayor's larger space standards.


The Mayor has also pledged to work with landlords to improve standards in the private rented sector with a new London Rental Standard with plans to accredit 100,000 private landlords by 2016. He will unlock stalled schemes like Greenwich Peninsula, and upgrade more than 40,000 council homes to meet the Decent Homes standard - as part of a £3 billion funding settlement secured from the Government to invest in London's housing.

Mr Johnson, said: "Boosting house building is critical for the economy and for the thousands of Londoners who are yearning to get on to the property ladder. This strategy offers us a golden opportunity to push on full steam ahead to deliver more affordable homes and create over a hundred thousand much-needed jobs in the process. With £3 billion secured from the Government, new powers and affordable homes delivery at record levels, we have solid foundations on which to build and cement London's housing future."

In addition, the Mayor wants to improve Londoners' experiences of housing in the capital through the creation of a new board with London boroughs to tackle overcrowding and increasing mobility opportunities for those in social housing.

(CD)