Background to affordable housing needs -

England and Wales has a population of 56.2m. It is divided into 348 municipal authorities. 33 of these are in London and serve an estimated population of 8.2m. Figures regarding housing needs in London are provided individually by the municipal authorities rather than on a London wide basis.

Taking London as an example of the size and extent of the problem, there have been influential studies published on the housing needs of the capital city by the London School of Economics. Their 2011 report suggests that 32,250 homes are required annually between 2011 and 2021 with 43% in East London where capacity is greatest and regeneration is necessary to support economic growth.

For the five years from 2007-2011 the number of houses built by the municipalities (including Housing Associations) never exceeded 8,000 in any one year.