The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has called upon the new government to protect vital investment in housing as he announced that he is more than halfway towards delivering 50,000 affordable homes, by 2012 despite challenging economic conditions.

The Mayor, who is investing over £1 billion a year through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), was speaking at the opening of a UK flagship supported housing scheme, Arlington, in north London; a new model for community living providing vocational onsite training as well as accommodation and recreational spaces for the homeless.

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The Mayor, who has now delivered 26,014 affordable homes over the past two years, believes that it is more crucial than ever that investment continues in high quality, good value affordable housing, especially family sized social rented housing to tackle overcrowding.

He said: "Despite hugely challenging economic circumstances, we are well underway to deliver a record number of new affordable homes - 50,000 by 2012, including the largest proportion of family sized units for a decade. But it is vital that London’s housing problems do not choke off growth in the capital and resulting national prosperity and this needs continued investment.

"We are making great strides in tackling overcrowding and these new homes will house families who desperately need them, safeguard jobs and help to cut housing benefit bills, which last year reached £20 billion in the UK, by reducing the need to house people in expensive temporary accommodation. Continuing to invest in London is investing in the rest of the country. You need Londoners housed and working to fuel the motor driving the UK economy into lasting recovery."

(CD/GK)