New social homes just 8% of total built across Greenwich Borough in 2016/17

The GMB has revealed house building levels across London along with social housing totals in every London borough last year. Greenwich borough saw the fifth highest amount of new housing in 2016/17 in London out of 33 authorities, with 1,560 homes built, but some of the lowest social housing levels.

The fifth highest number of homes is below expected levels in the London Plan, with Greenwich expected to build the third highest number.

Just 8.3% of those new homes were social housing in Greenwich Borough, which is the seventh lowest out of 33 London authorities.

Failed to decide in time

The news comes a week after this site revealed that a planning application for 27 flats without any affordable units has automatically gone to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate after Greenwich Council failed to decide within the required time limit.

Elsewhere in London

Croydon borough was number one in London with 3,670 new homes but just 2.5% social housing.

Lewisham saw 670 homes with a social housing percentage of 37.3%.

Bexley saw just 330 homes built and a social total of 33.3%. Very low levels of building is a core reason Bexley Council have launched their strategy for mass housebuilding with plans for:

  • Thamesmead: 4,000+
  • Belvedere: 8,000+
  • Erith: 6,000+
  • Slade Green: 8,000+
  • Bexleyheath: 1,500
  • Welling: 400+
  • Sidcup: 400+
  • Crayford: 1000+

In total 23,250 homes were built across London in the last financial year – less than half the numbers needed.

Greenwich Council may trumpet “affordable housing” levels but they’re often anything but – with levels up to 80% of market rent. That’s unaffordable to many even on decent wages, and thus adds to the £25 billion annual housing benefit bill, or Housing Allowance to give it the real name.

If a person can even claim it – many cannot at all or at low levels.

 

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J Smith

I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

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