Over the last five years, the London Housing Panel has worked with the Greater London Authority and many community partners to ensure that the Mayor’s policies on housing reflect the needs of all Londoners.
The Panel’s mission is to bring the voices of all Londoners – especially those on low incomes – into discussions on housing policy, improving the quality of policy and planning in the capital.
This summer, it celebrated its fifth anniversary. To mark its fifth year, the Panel reflects on its achievements to date and aspirations for the future.
The London Housing Panel is made up of 15 organisations from across London. Together, they work with the Greater London Authority to ensure more Londoners are heard in discussions around housing policy.
Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said:
“A huge congratulations to the London Housing Panel on their fifth anniversary. Since 2019, the Panel has helped the Mayor of London and I ensure our housing policies reflect the full diversity of London’s communities.
“The Panel acts as an important platform to ensure the voices of Londoners most affected by housing issues in London are heard and we’re proud of the outcomes the GLA and the Panel have achieved. We look forward to working with the Panel to continue to support Londoners in the future.”
Here are three achievements from the last year that the Panel want to share and celebrate:
Equality, diversity and inclusion commitments
For the first time, EDI commitments are now required from any new partners receiving investment through the Affordable Homes Programme. This milestone was achieved through the Panel's expertise and collaboration with the GLA.
Building Londoners’ voice on housing
In summer 2023, the London Housing Panel supported a series of ten community conversations with underrepresented groups in housing and planning discussions. Hosted by diverse members of the Panel and community partners, these conversations will feed into the London Plan, ensuring that more voices are heard in shaping the city's future.
Bob Green from London Housing Panel member Tonic Housing, said:
“Tonic was delighted to be part of the community conversations in 2023. It was inspiring to see nine LGBT+ organisations, their staff, volunteers and people with lived experience, discuss how planning affects our communities.
"Our conversation stressed the need for safe housing, with more choice and control offered to LGBT+ people, using housing policy and strategy that was based on better knowledge of London's communities.
“Everyone appreciated the opportunity to share their views and we look forward to working together with the GLA to influence and review planning and housing policy so that LGBT+ communities have the housing they need.”
Taking action on temporary accommodation
The London Housing Panel initiated and sustained a cross-sector collaboration on temporary accommodation. This included an open letter, signed by a coalition of charities, community organisations and politicians, which was coordinated by the London Housing Panel.
In recent months, it has also developed a new pilot project called ‘Encounters’. This project brings together people who are experiencing living in temporary accommodation and council officers, to increase shared understanding.
Maria Morgan from London Housing Panel member Kineara said:
"It is fair to say that we are dealing with a housing emergency. According to a report by London Councils, one in 23 London children currently call temporary accommodation home.
"The London Housing Panel's Temporary Housing working group aims to shed light on the state of temporary accommodation (TA) and its impact on the individuals and families living in them.
"Our goal is to advocate for more social housing to be built so that TA remains truly temporary. Additionally, we strive to improve the standard of TA and highlight the severe impact it has on family life, especially the significant disadvantages faced by children living in these conditions."
Although the Panel is five years old, its work is just beginning. In the coming years, it will continue to focus with a renewed drive and energy on its three priorities:
London Housing Panel's priorities
The Panel wants to see a massive increase in the supply of social rented homes in London, so that people on low incomes can afford homes where they can live safe and healthy lives. That needs to include accessible homes.
The Panel wants to engage with more voices of Londoners, to improve housing policy and planning. This will include building on the community conversations project, and how these are taken forward with communities. The panel will also push for earlier involvement of communities in policy development and identification of opportunities for co production.
Too many people’s lives are being harmed by long stays in unsuitable temporary accommodation. The Panel wants to see urgent action taken. In particular it wants to see the standards applied to social rented housing applied to temporary accommodation. And everybody in temporary accommodation should be able to expect key amenities – including WiFi, and space to prepare food.
Hear more about the Panel’s priorities in the video below, from London Housing Panel chair Dinah Roake.