London faces a housing crisis as social housing waiting lists reach a decade-high, with many families struggling to secure safe and stable accommodations. When the war broke out, the federal government retreated to a largely market-oriented stance. They’re also investing £39 billion over a decade to deliver better social and affordable housing across England. This announcement, while welcomed by some, raises questions about whether the measures will arrive in time for those currently facing homelessness.
Danielle, a mother of three, is a great face for the story of most Londoners. During that same nine-month span, she went on four relocations with her kids. This tumultuous trip started when her landlord gave her a section 21 “no fault” eviction notice. The family is currently living in temporary housing located 18 miles away from their school, disrupting their day-to-day stability and routine.
It’s been terrible, total hell. It’s completely disrupted all of our lives. My kids are always having to readjust,” Danielle said, recalling the upheaval her family has experienced.
Even though she’s struggling now, Danielle told us that she feels hopeful but cautious about the federal government’s recent commitment. She plans to use the funding to make tangible, measurable progress in the availability of homes for her kids, when they are old enough to return home. But she’s disappointed as well that the announcement is “too little, too late” to bring relief in time to help her family’s circumstances.
London Councils recently published an analysis of government data, revealing that social housing waiting lists in the capital have surged to their highest levels in ten years. Shelter’s findings are alarming across the board. Their findings show that in over four out of ten local authorities in England a low paid full-time worker would not be able to afford a one bed “affordable rent” home.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has released detailed proposals to hold the government to their word. She has promised to deliver 1.5 million new homes over this parliamentary term. The government’s £20 billion investment over the next five years, averaging £3.9 billion annually, is meant to increase housing supply and address affordability concerns. Though proponents celebrate the passage of the infrastructure bill, experts warn that the immediate is needed to remedy an already-crisis.
Trew’s Charlies the head of policy, said, highlighting the considerable confusion that surrounds the government’s housing targets. He stated, “The issue with so-called ‘affordable housing’ is that often it’s not affordable at all and priced out of reach of people on low incomes.” Trew called for funding to prioritise social rent, to guarantee the delivery of truly affordable homes that have rents set in line with local incomes.
Kate Henderson, head of the National Housing Federation, lauded the government’s announcement as “transformational” and described it as “the most ambitious Affordable Homes Programme we’ve seen in decades.” She hopes this effort could be a gamechanger for housing in London and across the province.
Neil Jefferson, CEO at the Home Builders Federation, pointed to endemic doubts over housing supply. To not be joined at the hip with the government on infrastructure a year into the new parliament, housing investment is still well below what’s needed. Jefferson’s words highlight the need to both meet the short-term and focus on the long-term housing needs.
As London faces the mounting challenges of a deeply entrenched housing crisis, families like Danielle’s are left to fend in increasingly tender hooks. Hopes are high that the government’s multibillion-dollar pledge will ease the grievous suffering now underway. They hope it will lead to a more sustainable future.