The Mayor is putting London boroughs at the forefront of housing delivery in the capital.
Working with the boroughs to deliver our housing strategy
Leading the way at a local level
The GLA Act 2007 states that local housing strategies must be generally in line with the Mayor’s London Housing Strategy. However, while the Mayor provides strategic leadership and makes decisions in the interests of London as a whole, many issues are best dealt with at a local level and are the responsibility of the boroughs.
Boroughs lead on shaping places and promoting sustainable communities. They have a number of statutory responsibilities in relation to housing. These include tackling homelessness and meeting housing need, providing housing options, advice and opportunities, enabling independence through support, and managing homes and neighbourhoods.
Giving London boroughs greater influence
London boroughs are responsible for the capital’s housing at a local level and have a key delivery role. The Mayor believes that London boroughs should be empowered to have more influence over what is built in their local area.
He is working closely with the London boroughs in a number of ways, including:
- providing more affordable homes, through agreeing individual targets for housing delivery and giving the boroughs more control over local supply
- ensuring that all social rented homes meet the Decent Homes standard
- reducing overcrowding and under-occupation of social rented homes
- improving housing mobility
- rolling out the Accessible Housing Register across London
- working with London Councils on 'A Framework for Devolved Delivery' a plan for the capital's boroughs to take greater control of their housing budgets.
With a shared commitment to deliver the Mayor’s Londonwide housing aims, this approach will not only provide more certainty over delivery but will also help to achieve the Mayor’s broader housing vision.
