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Spotlight on the future of London’s affordable housing
London South Bank University academics joined London Mayoral Candidates to discuss the city’s current housing crisis at a summit on affordable homesA summit on affordable housing organised by not-for-profit Uprise London and hosted by London South Bank University (LSBU) saw academics, London mayoral election candidates and their representatives discuss the current housing crisis in the city.
An audience of policy-makers, built environment and planning professionals, academics and LSBU students heard Sian Berry (Green Party), Caroline Pidgeon (Liberal Democrats) and Joy Morrissey (Conservatives) present their respective plans for affordable homes in London, before the floor was opened to audience questions.
Professors Craig Barker and Charles Egbu, Deans of the Schools of Law and Social Sciences and The Built Environment and Architecture respectively, then addressed the audience, providing an academic perspective on the homes crisis.
Prof. Barker commented on the need for educators to support planning students to engage critically with issues of urban planning, encouraging a sense of social responsibility beyond teaching the practicalities of the planning profession. Prof. Egbu added that demand for homes was simply outstripping supply, and that existing government interventions, such as buy-to-let tax relief, had created markets and incentives that did not necessarily address existing needs.
The key learning from the speeches and subsequent panel discussions that formed the summit will be incorporated into 'Plan A for London' – a document outlining recommended actions on affordable housing. This document will be published 1 May and will be hand delivered to the Treasury, No. 10 Downing Street and the four main Mayoral candidates.
A full list of candidates standing for Mayor of London is available to view online.