The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced an ambitious pledge to halve severe overcrowding in London's social housing sector by 2016, the first city in the UK to make this commitment, together with proposals to deliver more family-sized affordable housing.

As the Mayor published his revised housing strategy for public consultation he outlined the major achievements to date. This includes the successful launch of his First Steps Housing programme, to give a helping hand to first time buyers on modest incomes, and a doubling of the capital's empty homes programme.

The Mayor also outlined how, as a direct result of his housing strategy published last November, £186 million has been invested by the London Homes and Communities Agency to kick-start stalled housing developments across the capital. This is equivalent to unlocking one halted regeneration scheme a week since March.

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Progress has also been made on the Mayor's commitment to eliminate rough sleeping in London by 2012 with the establishment of the new London Delivery Board, which brings together the support, passion and expertise of London's key organisations to deliver this ambitious commitment.

The Mayor said: "The past year has been a turbulent one for the economy and housing market in the capital but I will not let that deter our hugely important work to deliver more affordable housing for Londoners.

"We are developing new housing sites each week, building new homes and bringing previously run down housing back into use, working closely with the capital's boroughs

"There are tough times ahead but London is now seeing co-ordinated, creative and innovative approaches to development which will ensure we emerge stronger from the downturn.

"I am extremely confident we will achieve our goals of halving severe overcrowding, delivering more quality affordable housing and widening housing choices for Londoners."

(CD/JM)