Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 23, 2025

Purpose: This report presents a coordinated and strategic response, structured around four key objectives:   1.  Slowing demand through strengthened early intervention and prevention, aligned with the Homelessness Reduction Act; 2.  Accelerating housing duty discharges by expanding access to the Private Rented Sector, improving casework efficiency, and deepening partnerships with Registered Providers and placement services; 3.  Reducing costs via direct acquisitions, long-term leasing, revised placement policies, and increased use of affordable, lawful out-of-borough options; 4.  Increasing income by restructuring leases to improve housing benefit subsidy recovery and maximising the potential of our wholly owned housing company

Content: For the reasons set out in this report and its appendices, Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:   i)  To approve the proposed approach outlined in section 4 of the report which seeks to increase the scale of mitigation measures to reduce expenditure on temporary accommodation and reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation. ii)  To approve the revised Housing Placement Policy set out in the draft policy at Appendix 1. iii)  To approve up to £1.7m in additional resources to enable the delivery of the enhanced Homelessness Response Programme as set out in section 4, with further detail in Appendix 3 - Financial Analysis (Exempt). iv)  To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing in consultation with the Lead Member for Community Safety, Housing Need, Homelessness & Private Rented Sector to finalise and implement the revised Housing Placement Policy. v)  Cabinet is asked to approve the initiation of a comprehensive review of the Council’s Social Housing Allocations Policy. The purpose of this review is to propose updates to the Policy to reflect evolving housing needs and improve clarity for applicants. Any proposed amendments will be submitted for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting.   vi)  To note the intention to conduct an extensive programme of review of all households in TA, with the aim of instigating an extensive resettlement programme where and when appropriate. vii)  To note that further updates and reports will be presented to Cabinet in respect of the overall approach and any specific transactions or arrangements requiring approval to progress.   Alternatives considered   a)  Do nothing – the Council has a duty to ensure Best Value for public money through continual transformation and transparency and so ‘do nothing’ is not an option. b)  The Council could continue with short-term lease arrangements; however, it would not benefit from the increase in cost recovery compared to longer term lease arrangements. c)  The amendments to the TA housing policy support strategic objectives to increase the rate households are resettled out of TA and thus reducing TA numbers. Housing supply in Newham is severely limited and if the changes are not made, it will make it harder for Newham to prioritize those with a genuine need to remain in the borough, potentially risking the Council’s reputation for making balanced and transparent decisions.