Affordable Housing
Councils are currently debating affordable housing targets, approving developments with financial contributions, and reviewing strategies for housing provision.
Hackney Council's Planning Committee approved a 35-storey co-living tower in November 2026, with an £18.2 million payment in lieu expected to fund social rent units elsewhere. In Southwark, councillors questioned if the council's target to build 500 genuinely affordable homes was ambitious enough during a November 2026 committee meeting. Tower Hamlets Council also granted planning permission for a new housing development at Tomlinson Close in November 2026.
Lewisham Council agreed in November 2026 to consult on new planning guidance that will generally discourage further purpose-built student accommodation, citing concerns over its impact on conventional housing. Lewisham's Housing Select Committee also scrutinised proposals for £2 million in annual savings for the borough's homelessness service in November 2026. In Bexley, Labour councillors called for a significant increase in council and affordable housing in November 2026.
Affordable housing refers to homes accessible to people with low to moderate incomes, often through subsidised sale or rent. Councils continue to address the provision and funding of such housing, with upcoming meetings in November 2026 scheduled to consider related housing needs and strategies.
Key facts
- Hackney Council approved a 35-storey co-living tower on 11 November 2026, with an £18.2 million payment in lieu towards affordable housing. Source
- Southwark councillors questioned the council's target to build 500 genuinely affordable homes during a committee meeting on 4 November 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council's Housing Select Committee scrutinised proposals for £2 million in annual savings for the homelessness service on 4 November 2026. Source
- Tower Hamlets Council granted planning permission for a new housing development at Tomlinson Close in November 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council agreed on 4 November 2026 to consult on new planning guidance to generally discourage further purpose-built student accommodation. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 13 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.