Q: What new housing powers has the Mayor been given?

Responsibilities of the London Housing Board will transfer to the Mayor.

The Mayor will prepare and publish a statutory London Housing Strategy and a strategic Housing Investment Plan, setting out the priorities to meet the housing needs of all Londoners.

The Mayor will decide the broad distribution of the affordable housing part of the Regional Housing Pot in line with the strategy. In short, the Mayor will decide in broad terms how public money for new affordable housing will be spent.

Q: What difference will this make?

Devolving investment powers to the Mayor will enable clear strategic priorities to be set for this funding. This will ensure that it:

• meets London’s needs, including the need for more affordable larger homes for families;
• concentrates investment where it’s most needed;
• capitalises on other major investment, including the Olympics.

It will also enable the Mayor to join up new investment in housing with his existing investment powers for transport and economic development.