Agenda item

Councillor James Murray, Executive Member for Housing and Development, made a presentation to the Committee, copy interleaved, on the latest issues affecting the council’s housing services.

The following main points were noted during the discussion:

·         Islington had around 19,000 households on the housing register. It was noted that not all of the households were in housing need and households needed 120 points or more to bid for properties.

·         The Executive Member expressed concern at the decreasing number of lettings in recent years. The number of lettings was expected to decrease by around a third in 2015/16; it was thought that fewer people were moving home due to uncertainty surrounding changes to social housing tenancies and rents.

·         As demand for housing was far outstripping supply, the number of points required to successfully bid for a property was increasing. It was commented that, on average, 150 points were needed for a studio flat.

·         There were over 50,000 households in temporary accommodation in London. Whilst this was a significant issue, the number of Islington households in temporary accommodation was decreasing. Providing temporary accommodation was a major cost to the council, contributing to a temporary accommodation budget deficit of £1.3million. The council was seeking to reduce this cost by using council stock earmarked for regeneration as temporary accommodation.

·         It was confirmed that those in temporary accommodation were not housed in properties which would otherwise be allocated to those on the housing register.

·         Around two thirds of households in temporary accommodation were able to be housed in the borough.

·         Islington Lettings had been operating for almost a full year. The agency had a target of letting 100 properties in its first year. This was intended to be comprised of 50 properties let at market rent and 50 properties let at sub-market guaranteed rent. Although targets for properties at market rent were being met, it had proved difficult to attract landlords to the guaranteed rent scheme. The service was to be reviewed; it was suggested that the level of sub-market rent could be increased and re-focused on key workers. The council was considering marketing the scheme to leaseholders who wished to sub-let their property.

·         It was noted that Partners for Improvement in Islington had made significant progress in reducing its repairs backlog and had centralised its complaints team.

·         The rent collection rate was 99.9%, higher than expected. The average re-let time was 19 days which was considered satisfactory.

·         The Committee was advised of the council’s recently completed new build properties and members were invited to the official unveiling of new build properties at Lyon Street.

·         Following a query, it was advised that council communications were emphasising the increasing number of points required to successfully bid for properties. The Executive Member considered it important to be honest with those on the housing register about the likelihood of them being housed.

·         It was advised that children of current council tenants on the housing register received an additional ten points through the ‘next generation’ scheme, however due to points inflation this did not make a significant difference in most instances.

·         The Committee queried the impact of the Housing and Planning Bill on the council’s PFI schemes with Partners for Improvement in Islington; in particular if the council would be required to sell all of its high-value street properties. In response, it was advised that Islington was in the unique position of having its highest-value properties managed under PFI contracts and was in discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government about how the Act could be implemented in Islington.

·         It was advised that housing applicants with medical needs were assessed by the council’s medical officer. There was a clear assessment process with an appeal procedure in place.

·         A member of the public suggested that the council should not encourage leaseholders to sub-let their properties as this was detrimental to local communities.

The Committee thanked Councillor Murray for his attendance.