The London Assembly agrees a motion supporting affordable housing target of fifty per cent.

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Oct 2007

The London Assembly has agreed a motion supporting the Mayor's affordable housing target of fifty per cent.

Liberal Democrat Dee Doocey AM, who seconded the motion, said: "We all have a fundamental right to have a roof over our heads. People living in temporary accommodation are constantly shifted from one location to another, which is extremely unsettling for families.

"The affordable housing target will help address the sixty per cent increase in the number of households on waiting lists and help those young people and children in London facing sub-standard accommodation."

John Biggs AM, who proposed the motion, said: "The provision of affordable social housing in London needs to be addressed as many Londoners find housing impossible to access through the private market.

"There are over 60,000 families in temporary housing and 150,000 families living in overcrowded accommodation. This is unacceptable for one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Ensuring that half of all new homes built in London are within the reach of those in housing need is both responsible and achievable."

The full text of the motion is as follows: "This Assembly supports the retention of the fifty per cent Affordable Housing Target as set out in the London Plan."