Expanding London’s social housing stock without building new homes

As of April 2020, there were 246,575 households on local authority waiting lists[2] and 60,830 families in London were relying on temporary accommodation.[3]

With demand for social housing high and likely to further increase, alternatives to expanding social housing stock should be considered.

The construction of new social homes is vital to meeting demand in London, but ‘non-construction’ methods could potentially expand the supply of social housing and help alleviate housing pressures.

Tomorrow, the London Assembly Housing Committee meets to discuss alternative methods for expanding social housing stock in London, through either existing homes or converting buildings.

Initiatives such as the Mayor’s Right to Buy Back fund will be discussed along with other methods, including tackling London’s empty homes. Is the Mayor doing enough to utilise all possible ways in providing enough affordable homes for Londoners?



The guests are:

• Chris Bailey, Campaigns Manager, Action on Empty Homes
• Peter Matthew, Executive Director Housing, Planning and Communities, London Borough of Hounslow
• Diarmaid Ward, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Development, London Borough of Islington
• Toby Lloyd, Independent Policy Consultant
• Ben Denton, Chief Executive, L&G Affordable Homes
• Josie Parsons, CEO, Local Space
• John Hughes, Group Development Director, Notting Hill Genesis

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 February 2022 from 2pm. This meeting will take place virtually.

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