New research published by London Councils today shows a 41 per cent reduction in the number of London properties available for private rent since the Covid-19 pandemic, amid warnings that turbulence and supply constraints in the private rental market is worsening near-record levels of homelessness across the capital.

The analysis – which represents the most comprehensive study yet published of London’s private rental market and its relationship to homelessness pressures – was undertaken jointly by the LSE and Savills and commissioned by a partnership led by the cross-party group London Councils.

London Councils and the report’s co-funders – Trust for London, Capital Letters, and the London Housing Directors’ Group – say the research is the latest evidence of London’s broken housing market and the need for urgent government action to address rising homelessness. 

With boroughs in the capital collectively spending more than £52 million each month on temporary accommodation and suitable accommodation for homeless households increasingly scarce, London Councils has branded the situation “unmanageable”.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said: “A bad situation is now becoming disastrous. We’re seeing fast-rising private rents and reduced availability of rental properties against a backdrop of continuing cost-of-living pressures and London’s longstanding shortage of affordable housing. Homelessness is a national emergency, but with London accounting for two-thirds of England’s temporary accommodation, placements we are at the epicentre of this crisis. Urgent action is needed from the government to help households avoid homelessness and to reduce the number in temporary accommodation.”

Transport for London has awarded contracts to Dott, Lime and Voi, following a competitive procurement process for operators to run the next phase of London’s rental e-scooter trial.

Last year, TfL and London Councils announced they were extending the capital’s trial of rental e-scooters in response to Department for Transport (DfT) guidance that allows local authority trials to continue until 31 May 2024.

The next trial phase will build on what has been learnt from the current trial, as well as providing operators with opportunities to test new onboard technologies, including pavement detection, tandem riding detection and acoustic vehicle alerts. This will ensure that London can continue to learn about e-scooters and the role that they can play in London’s transport network. TfL also expects to see the network of parking locations expanded across the trial.

London Councils, the GLA and the Cities Commission for Climate Investment (3ci) last week held an event for regional investors, bringing together stakeholders to accelerate financial flows into London’s local net zero projects. The event showcased net zero projects at various stages of maturity and an open dialogue about how early-stage schemes can be shaped into compelling investment opportunities.

You can read more about the 3ci partnership on their website here.

Two by-elections took place in London boroughs last week.

In Haringey, the by-election in the Hermitage and Gardens ward was won by Anna Lawton (Labour). You can read the result in full here.

In Southwark, the by-election in the Newington ward was won by Youcef Hassaine (Labour). You can read the result in full here.