The Hampstead District Management Committee's meeting of 13 March 2025 included discussions on a range of housing-related issues, including a progress report on domestic abuse initiatives, updates on budget requests from Tenant and Resident Associations (TRAs), and discussions on Camden's heat metering programme. The meeting also considered a report on the Council's renewed approach to tenant participation and plans for a proposed redesign of the Tenant Participation and Consultation and Engagement teams. It is important to note that the information provided here only reflects what was scheduled to be discussed in the meeting and does not provide any details on what was actually discussed or any decisions made.

Housing and Domestic Abuse: Update Report

This report provided an update on Camden's initiatives to combat domestic abuse, outlining its work toward achieving Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) Accreditation¹ and embedding a housing-led response to domestic abuse across the borough.

The report highlighted the Council's commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as outlined in the We Make Camden joint vision for the borough. Camden has prioritised the safety of women and girls and strives to provide support for their well-being.

Acknowledging the immense pressure on the social housing sector, the report acknowledged the challenges of achieving DAHA accreditation amidst these constraints. The report specifically highlighted the pressure on the sector due to the rising costs of services and the increasing rates of homelessness.

The report also detailed the stark link between domestic abuse and homelessness:

61% of homeless women and 16% of homeless men have experienced domestic abuse (All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness, 2019), 52% of domestic abuse (DA) survivors need support to stay in their home or move to new accommodation (Safe Lives, 2019). In Camden, approximately one in ten people approaching the Homelessness Prevention Service report that they are homeless because of domestic abuse.

The report then outlined the progress made in various areas related to domestic abuse, including:

• Policy and Procedure Development: The creation of a resident-facing Housing and Domestic Abuse Policy and an accompanying ‘Know your rights’ Survivors’ Housing and Domestic Abuse handbook, both co-produced with residents.
• Training and Support: A range of domestic abuse training programmes for Council staff, new DVA procedures for both the Neighbourhoods and Homelessness services and the creation of specialist DVA roles within both of these services.
• Early Detection Network: The launch of a ‘DVA Early Detectors’ network, training staff in repairs, caretaking, property management, cleaning and transport services, to identify and respond to potential cases of domestic abuse.
• Allocation Scheme: Changes to the Council's Housing Allocation scheme to reflect the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the establishment of a ‘DVA Points Assessment Panel’ to ensure fair and informed assessments of those fleeing domestic abuse.
• Perpetrator Accountability: Embedded perpetrator intervention schemes through the Drive programme and Restart. The development of an in-house perpetrator intervention programme, and the launch of a Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Panel (DAPP).
• Communication Campaigns: Launch of the ‘Know you’re not Alone’ campaign, which raised awareness of domestic abuse and available support services.

Housing Services Operational Update

This section was left blank, signifying an anticipated verbal update during the meeting.

Annual Report of the Cabinet Member for Better Homes

This report, delivered by Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, provided an overview of the Council’s achievements and challenges in delivering housing services during the past year.

The report acknowledged the financial strain on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), highlighting the impact of funding cuts, rising maintenance costs, and increased demand for temporary accommodation. The report stated:

London Councils welcomed the recent national decision to retain 100% of Right to Buy (RTB) receipts locally and the additional £500 million in Affordable Homes Programme funding, but boroughs are advocating for a long-term 10-year rent settlement and comprehensive debt review to truly stabilise social housing finances.

The report highlighted a number of key initiatives and actions taken by the Council, including:

• Housing Transformation Programme: Aimed at streamlining processes and investing in improved digital services for tenants. The report celebrated the success of introducing new communication channels such as WhatsApp, SMS and live chat and the positive impact these changes have had on tenant satisfaction.
• Fire Safety and Building Compliance: Significant progress in aligning Camden’s housing stock with the Building Safety Act requirements.
• Tackling Overcrowding: A targeted acquisition programme to address the shortage of larger homes.
• Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (PRS): The report celebrated the positive impact of licensing schemes in improving the standards of PRS properties, particularly in relation to fire safety.
• Strengthened Neighbourhood-Based Services: A new ‘Neighbourhoods’ team, bringing together estate management and landlord services to improve service co-ordination and provide a more resident-centred service model.

Hampstead DMC Budget Bids Report

This report outlined the budget requests made by Tenant and Resident Associations (TRAs) for the 2024/2025 financial year. The report encouraged TRAs to submit bids early to allow sufficient time for assessment and reminded TRAs that unspent budgets could not typically be carried over to the following year.

The report highlighted the requirement for bid requests to include:

at least three quotes for any works, in order to make an assessment of the proposals.

The following bids were scheduled for discussion:

• Falcon Hse Block parameter fencing (£23,400.00): This bid was submitted by an officer in the absence of a TRA for Falcon House.
• Bray & Taplow Block landing redecorating (£124,124.00): This bid was submitted by an officer and had the support of the Director of Property Management. It aimed to redecorate the landings in both Bray and Taplow.
• Harben Estate green space improvements (£26,000): This bid, for improvements to the green space on the Harben Estate, had been presented at the December 2024 meeting but was not approved. It was resubmitted by an officer after receiving feedback from the committee.

The report also provided an update on the progress of bids previously approved during the year, including:

• Webheath Estate TRA Grid Fencing Installation (£6,800.00): Completed on 06/08/2024.
• Sidney Boyd Court TRA Hall Refurbishment (£9,282.00): Direct payment made to the TRA for the refurbishment of their TRA Hall and stairs, and for new furniture on 27/11/2024.
• Lymington Road TRA Garden Benches (£2,560.00): Direct payment to be made to the supplier for four garden benches.
• Taplow TRA Hall Flooring and Decorating (£9,000.00): Funds paid to the TRA for hall flooring and decorating, completed 18/09/2024.

Camden Heat Metering Programme

The report provided a summary of Camden’s Heat Metering Programme, which began in 2009.

Camden had taken an early lead in the implementation of heat meters:

By the end of 2025, Camden Council will have over 5000 heat meters installed within its housing portfolio. Being one of the first local authority adopters of heat meters, the Council began its heat metering retrofit programme in 2009 at Kiln Place, followed by other sites in later years (known internally as Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 sites).

The report highlighted the benefits of heat meters:

A heat meter is a device which measures the energy used to heat a home and provide hot water. This means residents/the end-user: * receive an accurate heating charge based on their actual usage * can track energy usage using your Camden Account * can save money * reduce energy waste

The report explained how legislation had shaped Camden's approach to heat metering:

The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 required us to meter homes where technically and financially viable, but the government put their tool for assessing viability on hold for several years while they redesigned the tool so it was fit for purpose. In the meantime, we continued with the above phases of our heat metering programme.

Looking ahead, Camden intended to continue to roll out its heat metering programme:

Broadly, 75% of tenants are financially better off being on a heat metered charge vs the Heating Pool, and we still have plans to meter as many other homes on our heat network as possible, including those we are not legally required to meters under the Capital M&E heating programme. Going forward the speed of future heat metering installs will depend on updates to legislation, budget, resource, supplier constraints and resident access issues.

Tenant Participation Structure and Ways of Working

This report detailed Camden's renewed approach to tenant participation and plans for a proposed redesign of the Tenant Participation and Consultation and Engagement teams.

The report acknowledged the importance of tenant involvement, stating:

Faced with severe financial challenges and a housing crisis, now more than ever, we need to get closer to what matters for residents. Residents have the best understanding of the challenges they face within their community and the potential solutions.

The report outlined Camden's commitment to the new regulatory requirements set out in the Charter for Social Housing Residents, emphasizing the need for landlords to be more accountable and transparent in their relationships with tenants.

The report highlighted Camden’s desire to collaborate with existing tenants’ groups:

In Camden, we are fortunate to have strong communities and a long history of social action. DMCs and TRAs across Camden work tirelessly to provide a strong platform for tenants’ voices and action and to make sure that their voices shape the decisions we make and the way housing services are delivered.

This is very much an ambition that we share. As a Council, we want to work together with our DMCs, TRAs and tenants who we don’t yet reach, to make sure we’re growing local networks even further, building new relationships, understanding what matters to people and supporting social action across our communities.

The report outlined three key objectives for the renewed approach:

• Every tenant and leaseholder has the opportunity to be an active citizen;
• Residents are close to decision making, service design and scrutiny;
• Local networks and active residents are enabled to make positive contributes to neighbourhoods.

To achieve these objectives, Camden planned to:

• Develop a virtual We Make Camden Tenants Group.
• Develop tools and resources to equip tenants to take action in their homes.
• Communicate clearly the range of ways tenants can get involved.
• Redesign the tenant participation team to better reflect the new model and objectives.

The report included slides ² that outlined Camden’s ambitions for tenant participation. The new model, described as resident-led, aimed to empower tenants to make a difference in their communities. Camden also planned to offer a range of opportunities for tenants to influence decision-making processes.

Housing and Repairs Service Standards

This report provided information on Camden's Housing and Repairs Service standards. Developed in collaboration with residents and frontline teams, these standards aim to clarify service expectations and ensure consistency in service delivery.

The report highlighted the key principles guiding Camden’s approach to service delivery in housing and repairs:

• Proactive: Taking early action to address problems and provide support to tenants.
• Accessible: Ensuring services are approachable, transparent and easy to use, while meeting the diverse needs of residents.
• Caring: Listening to residents and acting with kindness.
• Together: Collaborating and working with residents to find solutions to issues and prevent anyone from being left behind.

The report then outlined the standards across six key service areas:

• Finding a Place to Call Home: The standards related to this area focused on transparency in the allocation process, ensuring tenants' needs were met, and providing support during the application process.
• Safer and Connected Neighbourhoods: The standards focused on providing clear tenancy advice, maintaining clean and hazard-free estates, and responding effectively to antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse reports.
• Getting Involved: The standards highlighted Camden's commitment to providing tenants with opportunities to influence decision-making, offering a range of ways for residents to participate, and providing transparent information about service performance.
• Resolving Repairs: These standards addressed repairs timescales for different issues, outlining Camden's commitment to providing accessible reporting channels, carrying out repairs in line with policies and regulations, and ensuring the competency of the repairs team.
• Paying your Rent: The standards related to this area centred on ensuring transparent rent payment systems, proactive support for tenants struggling with rent payments and working collaboratively with tenants to resolve any arrears.
• When Things Go Wrong: The standards outlined the complaints process and timescales, ensuring clear communication and an opportunity for residents to share feedback and improve services.

DMC Nomination Papers 2025

This report detailed the upcoming elections for the Hampstead DMC Chair and Vice-Chairs, scheduled to take place at the June 2025 meeting.

The report outlined:

• The eligibility criteria for candidates, which stipulated that nominees must be elected DMC representatives or substitutes of registered Camden Tenants and Residents Associations.
• The nomination process, which involved completing and submitting a nomination form, along with a candidate election statement outlining relevant experience.
• The election process, which would involve a confidential ballot if more than one person was nominated for a position, and the announcement of results during the June meeting.

Proposed Hampstead DMC Meeting Dates for 2025/2026

The following meeting dates for 2025/2026 were included in the agenda pack:

• 26 June 2025
• 18 September 2025
• 4 December 2025
• 7 January 2026 (Joint DMC)
• 12 March 2026