Southwark Council will clear its housing waiting list in 329 years

Recent statistics released by the Greater London Authority have suggested that at the current rate of council house building, Southwark Council will clear its housing waiting list of 22,755 in 329 years if it continues to build council homes at the current rate.  

The statistics reveal that in the financial year to date, only 69 council homes were started in Southwark. The previous years state the council started only a single home last year, and 38 the year before.  

The number of affordable housing starts- which includes other types of social housing and discount market housing has also slumped again this year – from 377 to just 144 in the financial year to date.  

This comes after multiple private developments in Southwark reneged on their previous commitments around affordable housing, including the Canada Water Masterplan which will now only offer 3% affordable housing, and the Aylsham Centre in Peckham which will deliver just 12%.  

The affordable housing crisis has meant six schools have closed since the last local elections in 2022, which most recently included Charlotte Sharman near Elephant and Castle.  

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:  

“These statistics show exactly why so many people are disappointed with Labour. They can use all the smoke and mirrors they like, but the fundamental reality of the soaring cost of housing forcing ordinary families to move out of Southwark has not changed.  

Liberal Democrats would get on and build more council homes, stand up to a Labour government that is not backing council housebuilding, and force developers to deliver 50% affordable housing.”