Agenda item

Ian Swift, Director of Housing, Needs and Strategy was present and outlined the report, during which the following main points were made –

·         The Registered Social Housing Regulator regulates registered providers of social housing to promote a viable, efficient and well governed social housing sector able to deliver homes that meet a range of needs. The Regulator undertake economic regulation, focusing on governance, financial viability, and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. The Regulator also set consumer standards and may take action if these standards are breached and there is a serious detriment to tenants

·         Data available from the Regulator of Social Housing indicates there are 49 registered providers with homes in Islington. The largest registered provider is Islington Council, with 25302 properties, and this represents 58.9% of all social housing in Islington. The second largest is Peabody Trust, with 5162 properties, representing 12% of all social housing in Islington. The registered provider with the lowest number of homes in Islington is Metropolitan Housing Trust with 2 homes. In total there are 42926 Registered Provider Homes in Islington

·         There are 1877 sheltered housing of supported housing homes in Islington with the largest provider being Clarion Housing Association, who manage 34.6% of all sheltered housing or supported housing accommodation in Islington. The next largest provider is Peabody Trust with 382 properties, and in total there are 1877 sheltered housing or supported accommodation properties in Islington

·         There are 1454 low cost home ownership properties in Islington, with Newlon Housing Trust having the largest number of low cost ownership homes totalling 334. Islington Council owns 102 low cost ownership homes. The average Islington rent is £116.69, compared to the average registered provider rent being £125.63. Consequently the average rent weekly charged for all affordable homes in Islington is £119.65

·         Members were advised that Islington Council had not sold any properties to Housing Associations in the previous 10 years

·         With regards to the 22 5BR (bed room) units or more available in the borough to rehouse large families, the Director acknowledged the lack of such dwellings built in the borough. The Director indicated that he would provide information of the number of families presently awaiting rehousing in properties of 5BR , noting the challenge and reiterating that discussions are taking place with such families to discuss their housing options especially as they had little chance of being accommodated in such units in the near future due to the lack of availability

·         In response to a question, the Director acknowledged that the council is in discussions with Housing Associations as to future builds and nomination rights especially as the greatest need in the borough was for 2/3BR type of accommodation

·         With regards to available data regarding sale of Housing Association properties in the borough, meeting was advised that this information could be obtained from the Regulator for only the financial year 2017-19 period , ie properties sold off by Housing Associations in the borough and this could be provided to the Committee

·         The Chair mentioned a survey carried out in 2010 detailing Housing Association properties in the borough and would forward to the Director of Housing Needs and Strategy

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Director of Housing Needs and Strategy be requested to contact the Regulator to ascertain details of properties sold off by Housing Associations as referred to above and provide such information to the Committee

(b) That the information requested above on the number of residents awaiting rehousing in 5BR properties or above be circulated to Members of the Committee

The Chair thanked Ian Swift for his presentation