60% of temporary accomodation placed out of Southwark

Southwark Liberal Democrats have revealed that in 2024/2025, 1570 households in temporary accommodation – representing 61% of total placements – were housed outside of Southwark. 

These figures come in the run-up to a local election campaign where housing has been at the centre of the conversation about Southwark’s future, with the Labour party now projected to lose control of the council after 16 years.  

Southwark Liberal Democrats say that the astonishing figures demonstrate the scale of failure of Labour’s housing crisis, pointing to their poor record of building council homes and developers who have failed to deliver affordable housing.  

Since 2022, 15 of the 23 wards in Southwark had zero council homes started, with just 8 started last year. This also comes as controversial developments like Borough Triangle, Canada Water Masterplan, and the Aylesham Centre redevelopment have all reduced their affordable housing provision to 10%, 9%, and 12% respectively.  

The Liberal Democrats have said they will force developers to build 50% affordable homes on new developments and have also joined the “fix the five basics” campaign to ensure that temporary accommodation has the absolute minimum living standards, including cooking and laundry facilities. 

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: 

“These figures show the council is increasingly pushing families out of Southwark, with almost two-thirds of placements now happening out of borough. 

The long-term trend is clear that local housing need isn’t being met. Developers are making billions whilst claiming they can’t afford to deliver even the most modest affordable housing levels, and the council has squarely failed to build enough council homes. 

Residents deserve a plan to keep families in their communities, not force them out. 

Liberal Democrats have a plan to fix Southwark, and fix our housing crisis.”