Less than 50 new council homes were built last year in a South London borough where over 10,000 people are in need of a home.

Figures from Lewisham Council reports reveal a total of 46 homes available to rent at the cheapest prices were completed between 2020 and 2021.

The 46 finished houses were a mixture of properties available at social rent prices and London Affordable Rent prices – which can be more expensive than traditional social rents.

But the local authority built more homes over the previous two year periods, finishing 142 homes at the cheapest rents between 2019 and 2020 and 438 between 2018 and 2019.

The figures mean Lewisham built 626 council homes between 2018 and 2021. 

The local authority boasted of delivering 1,200 “social homes” for families across the borough in a press release from March 16.

But the figure includes council homes finished in Lewisham between 2018 and 2021 and council properties still under construction through the local authority’s house building scheme, Building for Lewisham.

The figure also includes council homes created through agreements with private developers to build social housing in their developments. 

According to Lewisham Council, “social homes” include houses for families on the council’s housing waiting list, temporary accommodation for homeless families and specialist housing such as supported housing for older people and those with learning disabilities. 

The social homes include properties available at social rent and London Affordable Rent.

City Hall considers London Affordable Rent to be a type of social rent but it can be significantly more expensive than traditional social rents.

In neighbouring Southwark the average weekly social rent for a one bed property in 2021/22 was £93.63 and in 2022/23 is £97.47.

By comparison, City Hall recommends weekly London Affordable Rent for a one bed flat in 2021/22 to be set at £161.72 and in 2022/23 £168.34.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We are proud of our work tackling the housing crisis and delivering new social homes for Lewisham residents.

"We will continue working hard to deliver much-need social housing for local families.”

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