One in 10 Londoners needs social housing

MORE than a third of a million London households are now waiting for social housing, up nearly 50 per cent in five years, a new report revealed today.

Research by the National Housing Federation London also found more than one in 10 people living in London is on a housing waiting list, and more than 750,000 Londoners are living in overcrowded homes.

More than 15,000 families were accepted as homeless by London councils last year. The report Home Truths London 2008 will be launched at the House of Commons tomorrow. It concludes London needs 11,000 more social homes to be built every year. Only two thirds of that number are being built.

In spite of the recent price reductions, the average London house price is still more than 14 times the average Londoner's income. Buying, even at the cheapest end of the market, still requires an income of more than £55,000. Private market rents are more than twice as expensive as social rents.

Belinda Porich, head of the London Housing Federation, said: "Last year housing associations increased the number of social homes they produce by more than a third. But it's clearly not enough. It's vital we hit the Mayor's target of 50,000 new social homes in London by 2011."

●The Government today faced calls to clamp down on developers building homes with kitchen/living areas and bedrooms so small they "stifle" families. Croydon council is calling for "robust" nationwide rules.