Housing Supply Acceleration Bill to Add 200 Affordable Units in Kensington by 2028

The Housing Supply Acceleration Bill, enacted by the legislature on 28 June, requires local authorities to approve additional affordable housing developments in designated high-need zones. Kensington falls within one such zone under the bill's schedule, which sets a target of 200 new units by the end of 2028.

The measure responds to updated population projections released by the Office for National Statistics in May showing continued pressure on rental stock in central London boroughs. Council records indicate that 3,800 households currently sit on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea housing register, with average waits exceeding 18 months for one-bedroom properties.

Effects on Local Households and Services

Residents in areas such as North Kensington and Earl's Court stand to gain from the requirement that 60 percent of the new units carry income-linked rents capped at 60 percent of market rates. Policy analysts note that this could reduce reliance on temporary accommodation placements, which cost the borough £8.2 million in the last financial year. Local advocates note that key workers employed at hospitals in South Kensington may qualify for priority allocation under the bill's eligibility rules.

The legislation states that the £45 million infrastructure allocation must cover upgrades to water, electricity and transport links serving the new sites. One site identified in the accompanying guidance sits adjacent to the Westway, where existing bus routes already operate at peak capacity during morning hours.

Implementation guidance published alongside the bill projects first completions no earlier than the second quarter of 2027. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has scheduled a compliance review for March 2027 to confirm that boroughs have met the initial planning milestones.