House building and planning reforms

g15 response to the Government's house building and planning reforms

Commenting on the publication of the Government’s updated Housing initiatives, Brendan Sarsfield deputy Chair of the g15 group of London’s largest housing associations said:

“The g15 welcomes the Government’s commitment to boost house building, and some of the measures announced today will help. We are in the middle of a serious housing crisis which is particularly pronounced in London. The huge lack of affordable housing threatens economic growth as workers are priced out of much of the Capital as prices and rent rise.

Good quality affordable housing is critical for London’s growth. Some of the proposed actions may move investment away from affordable housing to the private rented market. Any measure that reduces funding for such housing will put this at risk and potentially cost the Treasury more as an increased number of people will seek help through the benefits system to pay for expensive rental properties.

Affordable housing targets set by Boris Johnson and the Government could also be put in jeopardy.”