London social housing waiting lists at decade high

London's social housing waiting list makes up a quarter of England's total figure

London's social housing waiting lists are at a 10-year high, according to figures.

Analysis of government data by London Councils found that there were 336,366 households on waiting lists for social housing in 2024 across the capital's 32 boroughs.

This is the highest figure in more than a decade and a 32% increase since 2014, with the previous record being set in 2013 at 344,294.

A government spokesperson called the figures "unacceptable" and said "urgent action" was being taken to build 1.5 million homes in England by 2029.

London now accounts for about 25% of England's total number of households waiting for social housing, according to the figures.

London Councils, which represents the capital's 32 borough councils and the City of London, has warned of a homelessness emergency, with an acute shortage of affordable homes as a key factor.

Analysis from the cross-party body suggests that more than 183,000 Londoners are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local boroughs, which is equivalent to at least one in 50 residents of London.

Councils are struggling with significant financial constraints and challenges to housing delivery, a London Councils spokesperson said.

Boroughs face a £700m black hole in their social housing finances between 2023-24 and 2027-28 due to rising costs and previous government caps on social rent levels.

They are also spending £4m every day on temporary accommodation, which has increased by 68% in the past year.

Labour councillor Grace Williams, London Councils' executive member for housing and regeneration, said that the growing number of people on social housing waiting lists demonstrated the "spiralling pressures" in the capital.

She added: "The capital is becoming increasingly unaffordable and, as these numbers demonstrate, there is a desperate need for more social housing."

The London Councils spokesperson said boroughs were calling for increased financial support for the social housing sector from the government, emphasising the need for sustainable social rent levels to boost investment in new homes.

They also want to see the removal of the 2011 cap on Local Housing Allowance for temporary accommodation, as the current subsidy does not cover rising costs.

They also urged the government to make the recent increase in Local Housing Allowance rates permanent, with annual updates to match market rents and better support low-income tenants.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "Local government has suffered from years of short-term decisions, so we have already set out important steps to help them deliver the homes we need, including overdue reforms to the Right to Buy scheme and an extra £500m for the Affordable Homes Programme.

"We will set out further measures in due course."