The London Assembly Housing Committee has today published results from its new housing survey, which looked into Londoners’ housing situations and attitudes to their homes as a result of COVID-19.
The survey had a number of findings:
- One in seven Londoners (14 per cent) want to leave the city as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A third of Londoners (33 per cent) want to move to a new home.
- Of those that wanted to move: 46 per cent want the home to be out of London and 43 per cent want to remain in the city.
- Of those that wanted to move, when asked about the likelihood of moving within 12 months, around three quarters will definitely, probably or possibly move (30 per cent, 24 per cent and 19 per cent respectively).
- Financial uncertainty, the cost of moving and the location of work are the biggest reasons for not being able to move home.
- Your own private space (garden or balcony) and the proximity of parks have become important factors for Londoners when thinking about their living situation as a result of the pandemic.
Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, said:
“Almost a half of Londoners, who want to move home as a result of covid, want to move out of the city. If this exodus from London actually materialises, this could have a huge impact on the city, the economy and the housing market. Fewer people could mean less overcrowding and a more pleasant living and working environment for Londoners, but there are also serious concerns as to what an exodus would mean for local neighbourhoods and communities and London’s economy as a whole.
“A significant proportion of Londoners want to move home generally, as the pandemic has made a lot of people re-evaluate their living situation and what they see as a priority. People have the right to live in a home that has a decent amount of living and now more than ever, working space, yet these survey results tell us that gardens and parks are a major priority for people when they are considering where they live. The Mayor should take note of that and make sure that when it comes to new housing developments for Londoners, access to green space is placed towards the top of plans.”
Related documents
Summary of survey results - housing and COVID-19
Notes to editors
- Survey results are attached.
- The survey had 450 individual responses from Londoners and was taken between 16 July and 4 August 2020. This is a broadly representative sample of London, with sub-groups weighted to be proportionately representative.
- The survey was carried out alongside the Planning and Regeneration Committee.
- London Assembly Housing Committee
- London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee
- Murad Qureshi AM is Chair of the Housing Committee and is available for interview – see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.