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I grew up on a council estate in south London and understand about life on an estate.



Council housing is an amazing asset. It provides secure and affordable homes for people in need and on lower incomes.



Estates can provide an incredible sense of community where people from all different backgrounds live and grow up alongside one another as friends and neighbours, supporting one another.



However, when jobs and opportunities are few and far between locally, life can also be hard - with entrenched poverty and unemployment limiting opportunities for the next generation.



For decades, the Tories have made it nearly impossible for local councils to invest in estates or build new council housing.

(Image: DAILY MIRROR)

They slashed investment as soon as they came to power in 2010, leaving councils with limited options for improving local areas.



This is the difficult context for the current debate about estate regeneration.



Put simply, regeneration should always be for the benefit of local communities - with residents and their lives put at the heart of the process.



This might sound obvious. But it's not always the case - particularly in areas where the Tories are in power.



Many housing estates are in desperate need of improvement.



Tory cuts mean that some regeneration projects have seen social homes replaced with luxury flats that the local community simply cannot afford.



This is unacceptable.



Major changes to communities and local areas should never be imposed on people against their will.



And estate regeneration should always lead to the same or more council housing, not less.

(Image: PA)



That's why - as the Mayor of London - I plan to use all the powers at my disposal to change how things are done.



In a ground-breaking move - announced today alongside Jeremy Corbyn - I'm going to start insisting that local residents are balloted ahead of big estate regeneration schemes in London that want my funding and that involve the demolition of people's homes.



If a full ballot is not done, or if local residents vote against the regeneration plans, I will withhold Mayoral funding for the project.



I will also use my planning powers to ensure there is no loss of council housing as part of any estate regeneration schemes that come to me.



Following the horrific Grenfell Tower fire last year, we heard how the local community felt let down and ignored.

Things have to change.

My new plans form a key part in finally giving council housing residents the voice they deserve.