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First meeting of GLA recovery taskforce plots how to keep London building during pandemic
Key housing figures have met to discuss how the capital’s housing sector will respond to the coronavirus crisis in the first meeting of the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) recovery taskforce.
Chaired by deputy mayor for housing Tom Copley, members of ‘The COVID-19 Housing Delivery Taskforce’ include Helen Evans, chair of the G15; Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Federation of Housing; and Darren Rodwell, executive member for housing and planning at London Councils.
Representatives from Build UK, London First, the Federation of Master Builders, and the Homes Builders Federation are also involved in the taskforce, alongside mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz and Andy Donald, chief executive of Redbridge Council.
The taskforce will consider how the sector can adapt and maintain resilience during the crisis and will also look at specific support needed from government to maintain housing supply and provide confidence in the market.
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Writing in Inside Housing earlier this month, Mr Copley said he did not think the impact of coronavirus “on housing, development and construction can be understated”.
Analysis carried out by estate agents Savills estimated that coronavirus has led to construction being halted on sites involving 28,600 homes in London, equivalent to 79% of total supply in 2018/19.
While some major house builders, including Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon, have recently announced plans to reopen sites, it is expected that productivity will suffer due to the implementation of social distancing measures.
Mr Copley said: “Delivering the social and other genuinely affordable homes Londoners need has always been the mayor’s top priority and this pandemic challenges our ambitious targets like never before.
“I am pleased that so many key members of the London housing sector have responded to my call to join this new taskforce, working together to help the industry through this crisis and ensuring we can build a better future after it.
“The 2008 financial crisis demonstrated that an economic shock can have a sustained impact on the housing market and the delivery of new homes.
“It is essential that planning starts now to ensure London recovers as quickly as possible and the sector continues to deliver the homes Londoners need at pace and at scale.”
Ms Henderson said: “I’m delighted to be part of this taskforce, working to ensure vital housebuilding work restarts as quickly as possible in London.
“The disruption caused by coronavirus means that tackling the housing crisis will be a bigger challenge than ever before.
“As more and more people struggle to afford a decent, secure place to live, building much-needed social housing will be vital in supporting our communities and the economy to recover.
“Housing associations make an enormous contribution to the supply of new homes in London, particularly affordable homes, and we stand ready to work with councils, the GLA and national government to ensure this can continue as we emerge from this crisis.”
