Investigation will discover if London Mayor can deliver new homes

Will Boris Johnson be able to increase and improve the social housing sector in the capital?

The Housing and Regeneration Committee have launched an investigation to examine how London's boroughs can help reduce the housing shortage by tapping into their own assets and funding.

Low-income Londoners are finding it increasingly difficult to source affordable homes. The investigation seeks to discover whether the mayor can deliver 54,500 affordable homes by 2015.

The Committee will gather statistics and evidence from councils and housing professionals.

RICS has established a commission to recommend ways of delivering the right homes, in the right tenure, across the country.

The commission will be taking oral evidence from the sector and invites suggestions from the property profession, the not-for-profit housing sector, investors, developers, stakeholders and public interest bodies.

Michael Newey, RICS President Elect and commission chair, said:

"Since the recession first began there has been a great deal of discussion as to what should and shouldn’t be done to get housing supply moving again. With the country well and truly in the grips of an economic downturn it is vital that the market is kept as buoyant and active as possible. This begins with boosting housing supply across the country in areas where it’s needed."