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MP slams ‘shameful’ record on provision of affordable homes
MORE than 1,000 new homes were built last year in Westminster – but just 11 per cent of them are “affordable”.
Figures released by the Greater London Authority show Westminster, despite chronic overcrowding north of Marylebone Road, is among the worst London boroughs for building affordable housing, according to outraged MP Karen Buck.
The Labour MP for Kensington North and Regent’s Park slammed Westminster’s record and said: “With chronic levels of overcrowding and a desperate need for affordable housing to meet the needs of local people overall, it is shameful that Westminster Council is dragg-ing its heels in this way.
“Almost 1,000 homes were built in the borough last year, but of these, only 11 per cent were ‘affordable’, despite the Mayor of London’s target that half of all new homes should be in this category. Hammersmith, which shares many of the same inner-London characteristics, managed over 60 per cent. For all the talk about helping middle income households, only 16 per cent units fell into the ‘intermediate’ housing category. She added: “We are committed to building 50,000 more affordable homes in London in the next three years”
Westminster housing director Rosemary West-brook said: “We are fully committed to providing more affordable homes. Westminster Council has already launched a number of initiatives to tackle the issue and by 2010 the council would have created almost 1,000 new affordable homes, housing up to 4,000 residents. Westminster is unique, located in the heart of the city space for new, large developments is at a premium, but wherever possible we ensure that the maximum amount of affordable housing is included in new developments.
“Offering local residents schemes such as shared ownership will further support first-time buyers and families who cannot afford to buy outright because of the high cost of housing in the centre of London.” |
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