The launch of the NLA’s landmark report, Homes for Londoners: A new agenda for public housing, brought together leaders from across London’s housing, planning, and investment sectors to call for bold, collaborative action to tackle the capital’s housing emergency. 

The event, held at The London Centre, unveiled a major new proposal: the creation of a Homes for Londoners Impact Fund, a city-wide investment vehicle that can acquire, rent, and hold homes for the long term. Designed to deliver secure, affordable homes for Londoners while generating stable returns for investors, the fund represents a transformative step towards restoring confidence in public housing delivery. 

Opening the evening, Nick McKeogh, Chief Executive and Co-founder of NLA, underlined the urgency of London’s housing challenge: 

“London urgently needs a new model to deliver public housing. We’re not delivering enough now, not for lack of will, but because the system is broken. The Homes for Londoners Fund we’re proposing would unlock patient, long-term investment into public housing, creating the conditions for sustained, equitable growth.” 

He described the moment as a turning point for the city: 

“London has a housing crisis - no, it’s an emergency. But London does what it does best: it pulls together. A community that cares about its future, that leads, and that adapts. This is our moment to act, to unlock investment, and to deliver.” 

A fund for the future 

At the heart of the proposal is a demand-side model that complements existing supply-side policy by creating consistent, long-term demand for affordable homes. The fund could be championed by the Mayor of London and London Councils, acquiring homes at scale and renting them at a mix of social and intermediate levels. 

Crucially, this new model would enable a City Hall landlord rather than a City Hall developer, with management by housing associations and backing from major institutional investors. 

Catherine Staniland, Director at NLA, celebrated the collaboration behind the report: 

“We’re delighted to launch this new NLA report, which aims to help unlock a new cycle of public housing delivery. This is sector-leading work, developed with partners across government, investment, and design, all committed to delivering real impact for Londoners.” 

She added that the NLA would be sharing the findings widely and running an events programme over the coming months “to bring key decision-makers together and ensure these ideas drive tangible change.” 

Political leadership and urgency 

Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: 

“I welcome New London Architecture's landmark 'Homes for Londoners' report which highlights the need to support long-term investment in housing and bring partners, developers and communities together.

“Tackling London's housing crisis is my top priority and the Mayor and I are doing everything we can to deliver more homes of all tenures. We are continuing to make progress, including a record £11.7 billion investment into social and affordable housing for the capital from government and a brand-new City Hall Developer Investment Fund as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.” 

Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council and Chair of London Councils, echoed the need for urgency: 

“The human cost of this crisis is devastating.”
 
“It is impossible to overstate the damage that does to those families and the life chances of those children. And the financial cost for councils continues to grow – we are now spending £5m a day on temporary accommodation.” 

She underscored the pivotal role of local government in turning ambition into delivery, noting that councils are on the front line of tackling the housing emergency and essential partners in shaping London’s future: 

“Because ultimately, what I want, what all of us want, is a city where Londoners have high-quality, secure homes that they can afford to live in. 

It’s a simple goal, with no simple solutions. But however we get there, that must be our mission.” 

Rebuilding trust and collaboration 

Darragh Hurley, Chief Executive Officer at Mount Anvil, emphasised the role of the private sector in driving collective change: 

“The best way to get what you want is to deserve it, and that starts with building trust. We must move from win/lose to win/win, and from hiding behind jargon and emails to engaging directly.” 

He welcomed the Homes for Londoners Impact Fund as a clear signal of renewed partnership between the public and private sectors. 

Six actions for a new model 

The report identifies six key actions to underpin a new era of public housing: 

Together, these actions provide a practical, actionable framework for unlocking delivery at scale.

As London faces its toughest housing challenge in a generation, Homes for Londoners: A new agenda for public housing offers not just diagnosis, but direction, a pathway to rebuild confidence, investment, and trust in the city’s ability to deliver for all.

“This is our moment to act,” said McKeogh. “To mobilise investment, unlock delivery, and secure the homes Londoners so urgently need.”

View all the images from the launch event. Photo credits: Nathan Piccio.