Thousands of people in temporary accommodation in Westminster

The inner London borough's "unique challenges" will be considered by an expert panel which includes two former housing ministers.

Panel chairman Lord Best said it would not be just a talking shop, but would offer "real answers".

Cheap housing is scarce in Westminster, where average prices are more than six times average household incomes.

Lots of people can not afford to buy a home, something the council says contributes to the borough's high levels of homelessness - more than 3,000 households are in temporary accommodation.

Among those on the panel are Lord Best, chairman of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, former housing ministers George Young and Nick Raynsford and architect Terry Farrell.

"Westminster faces unique challenges in the heart of London," said councillor Angela Harvey said.

"But if the commission can develop effective solutions to housing challenges, these will contribute not only to London-wide housing issues, but really make an impact upon the national housing debate."