About Southwark
Southwark: two thousand years of change
London owes its position to the natural features of Southwark's early landscape. As the first crossing place across the River Thames, Roman Southwark grew rapidly, covering up to 45 acres at its peak. During Anglo Saxon times, Southwark became the greatest traffic and trading centre in the country. Such was its importance by 1295 that it was the only town outside of the City permitted to send two representatives to Parliament.
By the 17th century, Southwark was the second largest urban area in England. The riverfront became increasingly important as overseas and domestic trade expanded. Landing places near the City were at a premium and new wharfs and warehouses were built to accommodate the growing trade.
During the industrial revolution, Southwark developed further as a great manufacturing centre. The area witnessed enormous diversification to encompass engineering, glass, leather, paper, gas, brewing, vinegar and even steam-powered corn mills. Southwark's long and colourful history is as distinguished as that of its neighbours, the Cities of London and Westminster. Its contribution to the social, industrial and cultural development of London and the rest of the country, though markedly different from theirs, is of equal importance.
Southwark today is an inner London borough with a population of approximately a quarter of a million people. It is an area of considerable diversity – in its communities, in housing type and tenure, and in economic prosperity. We are the largest local authority landlord in London and the fifth largest in the country, with around 55,000 homes in council management (including leaseholders). In total, the council owns more than 40% of the borough’s housing: a figure much higher than the national average.
In common with other parts of London, Southwark is an area of exceptionally high housing demand. Property prices are extremely high yet income and employment levels in Southwark are below the London average. As a consequence, there is a supply deficit of affordable housing. There is also a major challenge to be faced matching investment need. Finally, there is a need to create more affordable housing, with Southwark’s targets amongst the highest in London.
However, it is not only housing issues that are important. Some parts of the borough rank highly on indices of multiple deprivation, with low educational attainment, health issues, high crime levels and low average incomes, in addition to housing related problems. We realise the need to work with residents and partners to continue to provide high quality affordable housing, but also need to work across boundaries to ensure Southwark’s Housing activities are the best they can be.