The Housing Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, 12 January 2026, to discuss a range of housing-related matters. Key topics on the agenda include the annual performance of housing associations, the Housing Revenue Account budget and rent review for 2026/27, and strategies for tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring community safety.

Housing Associations' Annual Performance

The committee is set to receive the Housing Associations' Annual Performance Report. This report will provide an overview of how the four housing associations with the largest stock in the borough – Riverside (formerly One Housing Group), Origin Housing, Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), and Clarion – have performed over the past year. It will include details on their sales programmes, investment in existing Camden stock, management of tenancies (including voids, evictions, and rent arrears), and their performance in maintaining properties. The report will also cover fire safety measures and the prevalence of damp and mould cases within their housing stock, as well as their contribution to the development of new affordable homes in Camden. The report is available in full in the Public reports pack 12th-Jan-2026 18.30 Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent Review 2026/27

A significant item for discussion will be the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and rent review for the financial year 2026/27. Camden Council, as the fifth largest local authority social landlord in London, faces considerable financial challenges due to a national funding system described as broken. The report highlights a projected loss of £201 million in rental income since 2016, compounded by rising costs for inflation, interest rates, fire and building safety, damp and mould remediation, and general disrepair. The report outlines proposals to balance the HRA budget, including an increase in social housing rents by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) from April 2026, with potential additional increases for rent convergence. It also details proposed revisions to tenant service charges for various services, including caretaking, grounds maintenance, and communal repairs, as well as increases for garage rents. The report is available in full in the Public reports pack 12th-Jan-2026 18.30 Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Safety

The committee will receive an update on the progress of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Safety initiatives across the borough, with a particular focus on the Council's role as a landlord. This report aligns with the We Make Camden pledge to ensure residents are safe at home and safe in our communities. It will detail the refreshed ASB Policy and Procedure, the creation of an ASB taskforce, the recruitment of dedicated ASB officers, and improvements in tenant satisfaction with the Council's handling of ASB. The report will also highlight successes in tackling ASB, including the number of ASB reports triaged, targeted hotspot locations, and estate action plans developed. The report is available in full in the Public reports pack 12th-Jan-2026 18.30 Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Work Programme and Forward Plan

The committee will also consider its work programme and forward plan for the upcoming year. This will involve reviewing proposed items for future scrutiny and discussing any forthcoming key Cabinet decisions that the committee may wish to examine in advance. The report includes a draft workplan for 2025/26 and details of previous actions tracked by the committee. The report is available in full in the Public reports pack 12th-Jan-2026 18.30 Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Additionally, the committee is scheduled to receive a deputation from Robert Taylor, Organiser for the Camden Federation of Private Tenants (CFPT), concerning housing associations and service charges.