Purpose

Camden stands
ready to welcome refugees and always has. We have a long and proud
history of welcoming people who are displaced from all around the
world as they flee conflict, disaster, and persecution.
 
The Council has been awarded capital funding
from Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities (DHLUC)
through its Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) to provide
affordable homes to rent for refugees.
 
A decision in
November 2024 (Decision -
Transfer of thirty homes to Camden Living Ltd for use as refugee
housing - Camden Council) confirmed this funding
would be used to purchase thirty homes on the open market that were
previously owned by the Council and sold under the Right to Buy and
refurbish them all to the same Lettable Standard suitable for
letting for up to 3 years. This would be in accordance with the
terms of the LAHF grant agreement. Following completion of the
works, the homes would then be let to the Council’s housing
company Camden Living Ltd (CLL) on an operational lease to sublet
to refugee households under Assured Shorthold Tenancies
(ASTs).
 
Funding for an
additional home has been received by the Council, bringing the
total to 31 homes. The report seeks Council approval for grant of
the lease of this additional home to CLL along with the supporting
arrangements between the Council and CLL that facilitate use and
management of the unit for refugee housing in-line with the
original decision. Subject to further decision making by CLL (which
would need to make its own independent decision to acquire the
home) the proposed approach will enable the Council to meet the
terms of the DHLUC LAHF grant and the needs of eligible refugee
households over the medium term. In the longer term, the homes
could remain as affordable housing for the Council.
 
The role of
Executive Director Supporting Communities has been dissolved and
the new post of Executive Director Investment, Place and
Opportunity has taken over the relevant responsibilities relating
to this decision and is authorised to take this
decision.
 

Content

THAT, having had
due regard to the obligations in section 149 of the Equality Act
2010, the Executive Director Investment, Place and Opportunity,
following consultation with the Executive Director Corporate
Services and the Head of Property, on behalf of the Council in
relation to the Council’s dealings with Camden Living Group
Ltd (CLG) and Camden Living Ltd (CLL), the following be
agreed:
 

(i)                
The disposal of an additional home at best consideration by
way of a market value operating lease to CLL to be used to support
the delivery of refugee housing, in accordance with all
arrangements set out in the original decision in November
2024.
 

(ii)              
Delegation of authority to the Director of Housing to take
all associated operational actions necessary to complete and
support the transaction, including completion of refurbishment
works to the Lettable Standard, entering into the Leases and
Relationship Agreement set out in the original decision attached in
Appendix A.
 

(iii)            
Amendment of the Council’s Service Contracts with CLL
to provide landlord services on behalf of CLL in respect of the
open market homes for refugees.
 

(iv)            
Direct delivery to each refugee household of the Tenancy
Support Offer commitment set out in in the original
decision.