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NHS trust to work with GLA on housing delivery
An NHS trust is set to agree a memorandum of understanding with the Greater London Authority (GLA) aimed at boosting housing delivery across its estate.
Under the arrangement, the Whittington Health NHS Trust, which cares for around 500,000 people in north London, will attempt to ensure that 50% of the homes delivered on its land are affordable.
City Hall said it will be the first deal of its kind with a health trust.
A report before the GLA’s Homes for Londoners board yesterday said that Whittington Health is looking for opportunities to deliver housing as part of a masterplan for its estate.
Experts from the GLA will help the trust put together plans for its land, including by identifying possible sites for housing.
The trust will cover the GLA’s costs, including consultants’ bills and officer time.
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The report said the agreement could be “adapted and entered into with other NHS trusts or public sector organisations to identify opportunities for housing delivery, including at least 50% affordable housing to meet the mayor’s aspirations”.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has a target to ensure that 50% of homes built on publicly owned land are affordable and to start 116,000 affordable homes by March 2022.
He has also made it clear that his ’six key assurances’ must be met before he will support any NHS sustainability and transformation plans.
These are patient and public engagement, clinical support, a positive impact on health inequality, community services, hospital capacity and sufficient investment.
A report by the London Assembly’s Housing Committee last week claimed the mayor is falling short on his affordable housing promises.
Inside Housing reported last year that the Metropolitan Police’s land sales stalled after the 50% affordable target was introduced.
Listen to a podcast on Sadiq Khan’s housing record:
It is hoped the agreement with Whittington Health will “support improvements to health and well-being of residents in Islington and Haringey” through better clinical services, as well as new housing.
A draft memorandum of understanding has been agreed, with the final version expected to be signed in December 2019.
It is not legally binding but is intended to “formalise a working relationship” between the trust and the GLA.
