Each new home will create two jobs, says government

The mayor of London has set out his plans to create 50,000 more affordable homes in London by 2015 and to bring a further 40,000 council properties up to the Decent Homes standard.

Boris Johnson outlined his revised housing strategy in a speech to the National Housing Federation’s London Development Conference yesterday.

His plan, which goes out to public consultation until March, outlines how he will take on new London-wide housing powers secured through the Localism Act.

Proposals include building 2,000 new homes on the Greenwich Peninsula to establish one of the largest development sites in the UK, and working with boroughs and other major public landowners to bring forward land for development.

According to government figures, two jobs are created for every house built.

Labour mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone accused Johnson of “completely failing” on housing and vowed to set up a non-profit lettings agency if elected mayor next year and to cap private-sector rents.