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Livingstone raises new homes target

Livingstone raises new homes target

About 31,500 new homes could be built every year in London, according to a new London Housing Capacity Study (LHCS).

Mayor Ken Livingstone is using the research to raise the target from it current level of 23,000 additional homes a year, a target he believes can be hit while keeping in line with existing land-use plans.

“Substantial levels of central government funding for affordable housing will be a key ingredient in helping us to provide the homes that the city desperately needs and that this study shows we can deliver,” said Mr Livingstone.

“I look forward to working with the London boroughs and other partners to achieve this increase in housing output in a planned and sustainable manner.”

The LHCS looked at approximately 4,464 sites larger than 0.5 hectares, of which almost 1,500 had some housing potential. It also examined the potential capacity from smaller sites, such as bringing long-term vacant houses back into use.