Enfield and Greenwich seconded for new towns amid rising London housing crisis

Enfield and Greenwich have been shortlisted for new town projects aimed at delivering up to 35,000 homes, as London faces unprecedented homelessness and landlord withdrawals, highlighting the urgent need for rapid, sustainable housing solutions.

Enfield and Greenwich have been shortlisted for new town developments under the UK government’s initiative aimed at accelerating housing construction and addressing the acute housing crisis faced by Londoners. Proposed projects in Crews Hill, Enfield, and Thamesmead, Greenwich, could deliver up to 35,000 new homes, reflecting a significant commitment to expanding the city’s housing capacity while emphasizing the importance of rapid, safe construction coupled with thorough environmental assessments.

Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, highlighted the critical nature of these developments in the context of the current housing pressures in London. He emphasised that building as quickly as possible, with the right environmental safeguards, is vital to stem the tide of residents being forced out of the city or pushed into temporary accommodation due to a lack of affordable housing. This pressure has been exacerbated by soaring private rents and a shortage of affordable homes, which has only intensified in recent years.

Recent government and independent reports underscore this growing crisis. A survey by London Councils showed a 120% rise in landlords withdrawing properties from use as temporary accommodation between September 2022 and April 2023. This withdrawal has left thousands of homeless households with fewer options, worsening the situation in a city where nearly 170,000 residents, including one in 23 children, are currently homeless or in temporary accommodation. Additionally, a study from the Resolution Foundation pointed out a record increase in households living in temporary accommodation across England, with figures rising from 50,000 in 2010 to an expected 128,000 by 2025, heavily concentrated in London where 72,000 families are affected.

The housing crisis has also led to controversial measures by local authorities. In 2023, numerous homeless families in London were given 24-hour ultimatums by councils to accept private tenancies outside the capital or face eviction from temporary accommodation. This harsh approach underscores the desperate straits of housing availability in the city and the urgent need for sustainable solutions that do not simply displace vulnerable families.

Local boroughs have increasingly called for boosting housing support to alleviate this crisis. London Councils have advocated for raising the Local Housing Allowance to prevent nearly 60,000 renters from becoming homeless over the next six years, reinforcing the notion that expanding affordable housing supply must be complemented by financial support mechanisms to secure stable living conditions.

While these new town developments promise a substantial increase in housing stock, stakeholders caution that speed must not come at the expense of safety or environmental responsibility. The balancing act involves ensuring that construction is swift enough to meet urgent demand yet incorporates rigorous environmental assessments to maintain sustainability standards.

In summary, the selection of Enfield and Greenwich for new town projects represents a critical step in the government’s broader strategy to tackle London’s housing crisis. However, the broader context of increasing homelessness, landlord withdrawals from temporary housing, and pressure on local authorities to manage vulnerable populations highlights that construction alone is not a panacea. A multi-faceted approach involving rapid development, environmental care, and enhanced housing support is essential to safeguard the well-being of Londoners facing unprecedented housing insecurity.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 30 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 13 February 2025, when the UK government unveiled plans for the next generation of new towns. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-unveils-plans-for-next-generation-of-new-towns?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The direct quotes from Ergin Erbil and Sadiq Khan are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources. No variations in quote wording were found. No online matches were found for these quotes, raising the score but flagging them as potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. The report is based on a press release from the UK government, which typically warrants a high reliability score. No person, organisation, or company mentioned in the report cannot be verified online. All entities are legitimate and have a public presence.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims about the development of new towns in Enfield and Greenwich align with previous government announcements. The narrative is covered elsewhere, including reports from the UK government and other reputable outlets. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with UK English and the topic. The structure is focused on the main claim without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a government announcement.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is recent and based on a government press release, indicating high freshness. The quotes are unique and match the original sources, suggesting originality. The source is reputable, and all entities mentioned are verifiable. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic. No significant issues were identified, leading to a PASS verdict with high confidence.