Renewed calls for a Social Housing Commissioner for London to be the voice for social housing tenants

The London Assembly Housing Committee is once again urging the Greater London Authority (GLA) to establish a Social Housing Commissioner for London, to ensure tenant’s rights and interests are at the forefront of housing in London.

The Committee carried out an investigation in February 2023 into the issues faced by housing tenants, particularly around health and safety in following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale in 2020, which was caused by exposure to mould in his home.

Following a 2018 investigation after the Grenfell Tower fire, the GLA was urged to appoint a London Social Housing Commissioner. The Commissioner would be a social housing tenant with lived experience of social housing in London, to champion the rights of tenants across the city.

The Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, provided evidence that a London Commissioner would not have the same impact as a national Commissioner, as they would not sit on the board of the Regulator of Social Housing.

However, the benefits a London Commissioner could have in raising the profile and importance of social rented housing in London were highlighted by other panel members.

The Committee has today written to the Mayor urging him to seriously consider appointing a Social Housing Commissioner for London, as well as urging the GLA to make public any social housing providers stripped of their investment partner status as part of the GLA’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26, due to violating regulatory standards.

Sem Moema AM, Chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said:

“Ensuring Londoners have access to safe, well-maintained housing must continue to be a priority for the Mayor and the GLA.

“Throughout our investigation, we heard stories from tenants’ associations and activists about housing issues in London, and a regular theme was a lack of a voice for tenants across the city.

“This investigation is the second of its kind since 2018, and the same issues continue to cause significant stress on London’s social housing tenants. Guests spoke openly about the challenges they regularly face, and we firmly believe that a Social Housing Commissioner for London would make a significant difference.

“We encourage the Mayor and the GLA to consider the recommendations within our letter, and I look forward to receiving a response on this so that we can help our constituents with their housing needs.”