The Cabinet of Hackney Council met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to approve significant investments in temporary accommodation and to review the council's capital programme. Key decisions included the acquisition of 319 temporary accommodation units, the provision of an additional 58 units, and the approval of a 10-year lease for 71 units, all aimed at addressing the borough's housing crisis. The meeting also involved a detailed review of the Quarter 1 Capital Monitoring for the year ending 31 July 2026, including the re-profiling and adjustments of various capital budgets.

Capital Update and Property Disposals and Acquisitions Report

The Cabinet approved a series of measures to increase the provision of temporary accommodation, totalling 448 units. This includes the acquisition of 319 temporary accommodation units and the provision of an additional 58 units, both funded from existing temporary accommodation budgets. Furthermore, a 10-year lease was approved for a portfolio of 71 units designed for single people. These decisions are intended to address the shortage of suitable temporary accommodation within the borough, reducing the reliance on expensive nightly-paid annexes and out-of-borough placements. The acquisitions are expected to provide a better and safer living environment for homeless households and help lower overall expenditure for the council. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle the commercial terms of these acquisitions, and the Director of Legal, Democratic Electoral Services was authorised to finalise the necessary legal documentation.

The report also provided an update on the Quarter 1 Capital Monitoring for the year ending 31 July 2026. The Cabinet noted the expenditure plans and associated resources to be carried forward from the previous financial year to 2026/27, totalling £188,226,000. Additionally, the re-profiling of budgets was approved, with significant adjustments made to both non-housing and housing budgets across the years 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29. Capital adjustments totalling £421,000 were also noted.

During the discussion, Councillor Sally Zlotowitz, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Healthy Communities, inquired about resident consultation processes for major property acquisitions and the accessibility of temporary accommodation for wheelchair users. Deputy Mayor Dylan Law, Cabinet Member for Safer Homes and Housing Services, explained that property selections were influenced by proximity to Hackney to minimise disruption for families, and that larger units were sought where possible, though opportunities were pursued as they arose. Mayor Zoë Garbett highlighted the national housing crisis and the council's proactive measures to address local pressures, noting that without these interventions, over 4,000 individuals, including many children, could remain in unsuitable accommodation.

The decisions made are considered Key Decisions and will come into force on the expiry of five clear working days, unless called in by at least five non-executive members.

The meeting also noted the council's commitment to its Green agenda, referencing the recent heatwaves as a reminder of the climate crisis. The successful hosting of the London Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Conference was also highlighted.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Zoë Garbett, Deputy Mayor Dylan Law, and Councillors Soraya Adejare, Jacob Cable, Sam Mathys, Florence Schechter, and Sally Zlotowitz. Deputy Cabinet Members Abi Kingston and Laura-Louise Fairley were also present. Apologies were received from Councillors Alastair Binnie-Lubbock and Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo. Officers in attendance included Naeem Ahmed, Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources, and Juliet Babb, Assistant Director of Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services.

The decisions made at this meeting are detailed in the Decisions Tuesday 22-Sep-2026 13.00 Cabinet.pdf document. The full reports pack can be found at Public reports pack Tuesday 22-Sep-2026 13.00 Cabinet.pdf, and the minutes are available at Printed minutes Tuesday 22-Sep-2026 13.00 Cabinet.pdf. The agenda for the meeting was published in the Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 22-Sep-2026 13.00 Cabinet.pdf.