Merton has joined forces with six other London Boroughs to launch the South West London Housing Strategy. Officially launched last week by Andy Love MP, the Strategy is a joint effort to deliver more affordable housing to London and tackle issues such as under-investment and homelessness.

The partnering boroughs are Merton, Croydon, Kingston, Lambeth, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth. These areas include some of the country’s most expensive neighbourhoods, as well as areas of severe deprivation.

The strategy has four main objectives:
· Maximising the supply of affordable housing. New funding will result in at least 160 new homes for Merton, all with affordable rents.
· Meeting a range of different housing needs. Specific plans to provide housing solutions for black and ethnic minority communities, homelessness people, those in need of support and key workers.
· Improving conditions. As well as improving condition in privately owned properties, funding will also bring empty homes back into use, and improve energy efficiency.
· Tackling deprivation and building communities by getting people back into work and combating anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Steve Austin, Merton’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“By working together across traditional borough boundaries and taking into account the unique characteristics of South-West London, the strategy will enable us to tailor housing to meet more specific needs.

“The strategy should also provide opportunities for others to get onto the property ladder, especially the key workers on whom we all depend so much.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with our neighbouring boroughs”.

Ends.