Housing demand, and in particular the need for affordable housing, is acute in London. In the words of the Mayor’s Housing Taskforce, “London has not built enough houses for its growing population, despite more than a decade of sustained economic growth and rising public investment. Prices have risen, driving down affordability, leaving too many people on housing waiting lists.” At the same time, since 2010 the Coalition Government has embarked upon a radical reform of housing policy that will significantly impact upon how housing will be delivered across the Capital.

Over the coming months Future of London, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, will be engaging with senior policymakers and practitioners across London in order to examine what ‘affordability’ means in this new policy and development context. We will examine the current state of the housing market in London, the likely impact of recent policy changes for London, and the implications for housing costs across tenures. And we will be examining the impact of the ‘Affordable Rent Programme’ in the Capital, and what other ways there are for Boroughs to deliver additional affordable units in their area.

News and Project Updates

• Podcast: David Lunts on the future of housing in London April 30, 2012

  Here is the latest podcast from our London2062 work programme, undertaken jointly with University College London. This time we hear from David Lunts, Executive Director for Housing at the GLA, set out what he believes will be the major challenges for h...

• The future of affordable housing in London March 15, 2012

  Future of London is convening a series of senior practitioner roundtables asking what "affordable housing" means for London following recent reforms, and explore new ways to deliver affordable housing in London.

• NHB 2012/13 figures released February 3, 2012

  The New Homes Bonus allocations for 2012-13 have been announced, with varying sums awarded to Boroughs across London.

• What next for affordable housing? November 2, 2011

  Our latest event investigated responses to the scale of London's housing challenge over the current round of Affordable Rent, and debated what should follow in 2015.

• London Energy Efficiency Fund launches October 4, 2011

  Yesterday I attended the launch of the London Energy Efficiency Fund (“LEEF”). Led by Amber Infrastructure with their partners Arup and Royal Bank of Scotland, LEEF aims to provide affordable, flexible, repayable loans for public sector organis...