A new partnership to help speed up the delivery of the Capital's £3 billion housebuilding programme was announced today by Housing Minister Caroline Flint and the London Mayor Ken Livingstone. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Mayor and the Government are joining forces to establish the London HCA Board, a local sub-committee of the HCA responsible for helping to deliver affordable housing in London and the South East. London Boroughs will also be represented and fully engaged in this process.
The new Board will be responsible for meeting the Government's and the Mayor's objectives to deliver a significant increase in the total number of homes in a way that is environmentally sustainable; significantly increase the number of affordable, family-sized homes; and create communities in which people want to live by targeting and regenerating the most deprived areas of London.
The new HCA Board will ensure money from the HCA's investment programme and land from the London Development Agency is used to deliver the HCA's housing and regeneration programme for London and support the Mayor's housing strategy. The Board will be chaired by the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, and have HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake sitting as vice-chairman. Strengthening the partnership will re-enforce a coherent approach to providing new housing and renewal in London.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: "It is essential we increase the amount of affordable housing in London but we need to ensure homes are built where they are most needed. By strengthening our relationship with the Mayor's office and giving a stronger voice to London boroughs we can ensure we create new communities and regenerate deprived areas in a much more joined-up way."
London Mayor Ken Livingstone, said: "My new housing strategy sets out clear policies to help make housing more affordable for Londoners, and especially for those struggling to find family housing. Sir Bob Kerslake and I have agreed a clear basis on which the new Homes and Communities Agency will work in London and are looking forward to working closely with boroughs, builders and local communities to help provide the homes this city needs. These new arrangements will bring the delivery of housing and regeneration far closer to London's specific needs than has ever been possible before."
