Affordable homes building falls far short of desired targets
Ken Livingstone has boasted that he built more homes in London last year than any year since 1977. The actual figures are much less encouraging. The percentage of affordable homes delivered has fallen from 41.4 per cent in 2000/2001 to 33.7 per cent in
Ken Livingstone has boasted that he built more homes in London last year than any year since 1977. The actual figures are much less encouraging.
The percentage of affordable homes delivered has fallen from 41.4 per cent in 2000/2001 to 33.7 per cent in 2006/2007.
In Westminster the record has in fact been significantly lower than the London average, namely a mere 11 per cent of new homes built could be categorised as affordable.
In 2006/2007, 992 so-called "market units" were built but only 16 intermediate housing and 102 social rented properties.
At the Mayor's Question Time on March 12, the Mayor was asked by Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, as to what were the reasons for councils not cooperating and delivering on his aspirational 50 per cent target.
He was swift to remind everyone of the intransigent attitude of many Tory councils such as that in Westminster involving one Dame Shirley Porter (pictured).
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The real question of course is whether the events of late 1980s should be relegated to the history books or do the public still need to be reminded about them from time to time.
Why else then is the provision of affordable housing by the current administration in Westminster Council still falling so far short of the mark?
Merlene Emerson
Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for the GLA West Central Constituency
