Labour MP Dawn Butler has welcomed plans to invest at least £6 billion in new social and affordable housing across London, describing the announcement as “transformative” for families experiencing homelessness.
The investment forms part of the Labour Government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which is intended to deliver hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next decade.
Writing on X, Butler said:
“I’m overjoyed at the news for London. Our government is urgently tackling the housing crisis.”
“Sadiq Khan has been allocated £6bn to build genuinely affordable homes. Transformative, especially for families who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. There are 3,000 in Brent alone.”
The Mayor of London intends to make at least £6 billion available to social and affordable housing providers, with London’s councils expected to deliver more than half of the homes supported by the funding.
City Hall has been guaranteed £3.3 billion over the four years to 2030, allowing Sadiq Khan to make longer-term funding commitments as part of London’s overall allocation of up to £11.7 billion between 2026 and 2036.
The announcement follows the Government’s confirmation of the first wave of investment from its landmark housing programme. Nearly £10 billion has been allocated to councils, housing associations and other strategic partners outside London to support more than 70,000 new homes.
At least 60% of the homes delivered through the national programme will be for social rent. Councils are also being placed at the centre of delivery, as the Government seeks to launch the biggest revival of council housebuilding in decades. The Government said the programme would help families move out of temporary accommodation and into secure homes.
Sadiq Khan said thousands of Londoners would benefit from the new wave of social and affordable housing, helping families leave temporary accommodation and secure good-quality homes for the long term.
The investment will form part of the London Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which will support projects beginning construction by March 2036 and completing by March 2039.
The announcement will be particularly significant in boroughs such as Brent, where thousands of families are living in temporary accommodation while waiting for a permanent and affordable home.
