The Housing Scrutiny Committee noted updates on the Housing Transformation Programme, anti-social behaviour (ASB) policy, rough sleeping services review, estate parking strategy, and homelessness scrutiny panel actions. It also reviewed a report from the Cabinet Member for Better Homes. It was agreed that the Asset Management Strategy (Cabinet Report) would now be presented at the January 2025 meeting instead of the December 2024 meeting. A deputation on Holmes Road Depot and its direct labour force was received from Alice Brown, Climate Emergency, who expressed concern about the lack of publicly available data on the amount of work done by the direct labour force compared to contractors and subcontractors. Brown argued for greater transparency in procurement processes to tackle the climate emergency effectively.

Housing Transformation Programme

The committee received an update on the Housing Transformation Programme, a multi-year initiative aimed at improving the quality of housing stock and services in the borough. The programme focuses on key areas such as regulatory compliance, transforming the housing ‘front door’, asset management, resident-centered practice, and digital transformation.

The committee discussed the programme's progress in detail, particularly the efforts to improve data and digital services to enhance communication with tenants and residents. There was a discussion on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in housing management, with the council acknowledging the need to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness before adopting it. The committee also explored the application of a 'Relational Practice Model'¹ in housing services, focusing on understanding and supporting tenants with complex and challenging needs.

The committee recognised the importance of continuous improvement in service delivery and officer performance, highlighting the need for regular training, clear guidance on service expectations, and appropriate performance measures.

Anti-social Behaviour Policy

The ASB Policy launched in September 2023, aims to address anti-social behaviour in public spaces and housing estates managed by the council. It promotes a collaborative approach involving community safety and housing teams, the Metropolitan Police Service, and other relevant agencies. The policy outlines a clear process for reporting and investigating ASB incidents, prioritizing a victim-centered approach and early intervention to prevent escalation. It also emphasizes the importance of providing support to both victims and perpetrators, recognizing the role of mental health, learning disabilities, and other vulnerabilities in ASB cases.

Rough Sleeping Services Review

The committee reviewed the progress made on the recommendations from the Rough Sleeping Review, focusing on improving support for rough sleepers in the borough. The council highlighted its ongoing efforts to secure funding for rough sleeping services, particularly in light of the tapering off of the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) grant from central government.

The committee discussed the importance of adopting a more nuanced approach to rough sleeping, moving away from a binary understanding of support and enforcement. This includes developing a local framework that describes appropriate partnership interventions based on the individual needs and circumstances of rough sleepers. The council outlined its plans to re-launch the Rough Sleeping Forum, ensuring it is community-led with equal partnership between the council, the NHS, and the voluntary sector.

The committee also emphasized the need for a robust evaluation framework to assess the impact of initiatives aimed at improving the health, care, and support offer for rough sleepers.

Estate Parking Strategy

The committee received an update on the Estate Parking Strategy, which aims to improve parking management on council estates, ensuring access for emergency vehicles and prioritizing parking for residents. The strategy, approved by the Cabinet in March 2023, involved implementing Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) on selected estates following extensive consultation with residents.

The first phase of the TMO implementation has been completed on nine estates, with enforcement of new parking rules set to begin in November 2024. The committee discussed the importance of learning from the initial phase of implementation to improve the process for future phases. The strategy includes provisions for disabled residents, with free permits for Blue Badge holders residing on estates with TMOs.

Homelessness Scrutiny Panel Actions

The committee received an update on the actions taken following the recommendations of the Homelessness Scrutiny Panel, specifically those related to the review of Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) provision and the out-of-hours service.

The council acknowledged the financial pressures faced by VCS organizations and the need to review funding arrangements to ensure the sustainability of essential services for homeless residents. The committee discussed the role of the Camden Advice Network (CAN), an umbrella organization encompassing 13 community providers offering advice and support services. The committee suggested the need for housing services to be more involved in the review of CAN's performance and future commissioning processes.

The committee also reviewed the pilot of an in-house out-of-hours provision with Contact Camden, the council’s contact centre. The pilot aimed to establish a single point of contact for residents experiencing out-of-hours housing emergencies. The initial review of the pilot was positive, and the council is working towards fully implementing the statutory compliant service.

Report from Cabinet Member for Better Homes

The Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, provided a comprehensive update on the Better Homes portfolio, covering key challenges and initiatives across the housing sector in Camden.

Key highlights of the report:

• Financial Pressures on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Camden’s HRA faces significant financial strain due to historical funding cuts, rising costs, and increasing demand for temporary accommodation. The council is pursuing savings within the HRA and actively lobbying the government for a long-term rent settlement and a comprehensive debt review to address the structural financial challenges faced by local authorities.
• Repairs and Maintenance: The Housing Transformation Programme is working to improve service delivery in repairs and maintenance, despite ongoing challenges with backlogs and high demand. The council has implemented new digital service channels, introduced proactive SMS updates for repair works, and expanded its case management team to improve resident communication and responsiveness.
• Fire Safety and Building Safety Act Compliance: Camden has made significant strides in improving fire safety standards in its housing stock, completing most high-risk fire assessment actions and submitting initial Building Safety Case Reports. The council has developed a five-year plan to achieve full compliance with the Building Safety Act across all high-rise buildings by 2028.
• Temporary Accommodation and Homelessness: Rising homelessness rates and increasing demand for temporary accommodation continue to pose significant challenges. The council has secured funding through the Temporary Accommodation Property Procurement (TAPP3) scheme and is reviewing rough sleeping services to improve support for vulnerable residents.
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Management: The council has implemented its victim-centered ASB policy, establishing an ASB Taskforce and working collaboratively with local law enforcement and community groups to address ASB.
• Overcrowding and New Family Housing: Camden faces a shortage of larger family housing units, leading to overcrowding issues for some families. The council is running a family-friendly acquisition programme to increase the availability of family-sized homes.
• Enhanced Resident Engagement and Communication: The council has invested in digital service channels and in-person outreach initiatives to improve communication with residents.
  
• Tackling Damp and Mould: The council continues its proactive approach to addressing damp and mould issues in its housing stock, with a dedicated Mould Marshalls team working to remediate reported cases.
• Private Rented Sector (PRS) Challenges and Advocacy for Renters' Rights: The PRS in Camden faces challenges with high rental costs, substandard property conditions, and increasing overcrowding. The council has implemented selective licensing schemes, strengthened housing enforcement efforts, and established the Renters’ Rights Hub to support tenants. The council is also actively lobbying for national policy reforms, including rent control measures, the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and the creation of a national landlord registry.

The committee engaged in a detailed discussion with Councillor Abdi-Wali and council officers on various aspects of the report, seeking clarifications and updates on specific initiatives. The committee acknowledged the council's efforts to improve housing services and address the multifaceted challenges in the housing sector, emphasizing the need for continued focus on resident engagement, service quality, and effective advocacy for national policy reforms.