Purpose

In May 2025 Executive Mayor Perry agreed to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing to lead on the appointment of members to a new Housing Assurance Board. The intention of the formation of this Board was to meet the requirements of new housing regulation, to drive Croydon Council’s aspiration to attain a minimum C2 rating in the Housing Landlord service and to ensure the Council is providing an effective Housing Needs and Homelessness service that meets the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and helps manage the financial pressures on the General Fund. 

This report updates Cabinet on the operation and effectiveness of the Housing Assurance Board following its formation in October 2025. The report also:

• Confirms the current membership of the Housing Assurance Board;

• Introduces the Housing Improvement Programme that has been developed to ensure compliance with the Regulator of Housing’s Consumer Standards and to improve housing services to the Croydon Council’s tenants and leaseholders; and

• Updates Cabinet on the Council’s preparedness for an inspection by the Regulator which is likely to take place in 2026. 

Decision

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet AGREED to:

1. 1       Note the progress made by the Housing Assurance Board in fulfilling its role in driving improvement in the housing service through:
2. 2       Note the continued authority for the Corporate Director of Housing to take all necessary steps to prepare the Housing Service for inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing.

• Effective oversight and challenge in the delivery of performance targets and actions set out in the Housing Improvement Programme;

• Undertaking reviews of areas at risk within the landlord service;

• Ensuring compliance with the Regulator’s Consumer Standards; and

• Monitoring and driving performance in the Council’s Housing Needs and Homelessness service to ensure it meets the requirements of legislation and reduces pressure on the Council’s General Fund.