Tower Hamlets is one of the most overcrowded boroughs in the country - the rate of overcrowding overall is more than twice the London average – while overcrowding in council-owned housing is the highest in London. We need more resources to address the housing shortage locally.

The shortage of good quality, family homes is affecting life chances, contributing to health inequalities and affecting children’s education. Overcrowding, damp and mould are all linked to respiratory disease – the numbers of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema sufferers are higher in Tower Hamlets than the rest of the London.

The Government has unveiled plans to build 3 million more homes by 2020.  This is an important step towards guaranteeing that as a nation we are not held back by the lack of social and affordable housing.  In the last year, the Council delivered over 1000 new affordable homes through Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and plan to deliver over 1500 homes each year for the next three years.

I am pleased that the Labour Government and Tower Hamlets Council are committed to addressing the housing shortage.  I want to make sure that we get our fair share of the funding for housing locally and find the right balance between building new homes and protecting the area from over-development.

We must also drive up the standards of private rented housing.  I will push the Government to extend legislation so that all rented accomodation has to be registered and licensed with the Council, not just those over a certain number of tenants and floors.  I will work with the Council to ensure that Affordable to Buy housing is actually affordable and urge the Government to get the mortgage market moving again so first-time buyers can get loans.  

I am aware that many families have to move out of Tower Hamlets and away from their family and friends to find decent homes. I will campaign tirelessly for better housing in Tower Hamlets for everyone. This means making sure there are more affordable family-sized and social rented homes.

We must also ensure that house building is focused around creating integrated communities where people can build strong social ties and family networks. New developments must provide good youth facilities and play spaces for young people to access.