RCN London region has responded to a consultation launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan over his plans to start building at least 6,000 rent-controlled homes by 2030 in a bid to increase affordable housing for key workers.  

The Mayor’s plans include capping rent at 40% of key workers’ average household incomes, with rent rises potentially linked to wage growth. 

While RCN London welcomes the focus of the initiative, we have said in our consultation response that it does “not go far enough” when it comes to meeting the significant demand for affordable housing for the capital’s nursing workforce. 

We know from our own research that the lack of affordable housing in London is one of the main reasons why nursing colleagues are leaving the city. Last year, we carried out a survey of RCN London members, which revealed that 55% of respondents said they are likely to leave nursing altogether within the next five years, citing the lack affordable housing as the main reason for this.  

This is at a time when London's NHS is grappling with a nursing workforce shortage: there are currently more than 6,000 vacant registered nursing posts, with thousands more in social care.   

In our response, RCN London said:   

• The proposed homes will not be accessible to nursing staff on lower incomes.  The proposals to calculate rent at a benchmark of 40% of key workers’ average household incomes would still be unaffordable for nursing staff on lower bands in the NHS – bands two to four – and their equivalent in the social care sector.
• Rent and service charge increases should only increase in line with average key worker salaries and must not exceed NHS staff pay awards.
• There should be an independent body to help determine rent and services charges, with powers to hold developers and housing associations to account. 

Commenting on the Mayor’s proposals, Lisa Elliott, Regional Director for RCN London region, said:  

“While these plans are a good start, they do not come close to fixing the problem. We know that the cost of living in London is one of the biggest factors forcing nursing colleagues out of the city. Rent is rising at an astronomical rate, and nursing pay hasn’t kept up. Put simply, many of them cannot afford to live here. 

“We know from speaking to our members, especially those who are the beginning of their career or those who have families, that they are genuinely struggling to make ends meet in London. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, our members are finding it harder and harder to find affordable accommodation.   

“The Mayor must also ensure the housing plans are suitable for key workers’ varying needs, including for single people, couples and families.” 

“It's vital that politicians, employers, local councils, housing providers and other key stakeholders collectively work to make homes genuinely affordable for London’s nursing community. We want to support that aim.”   

The consultation closed on the 3 March.

Read RCN London's response to the consultation.

More information about the consultation is available here.