The Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme and to review the draft work programme for 2026/27. Key decisions included noting the name and remit changes for the commission and agreeing to the draft work programme.

Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme

The Commission received a comprehensive update on the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation (TA) Supply Transformation Programme, which aims to address the rising demand for homelessness support and improve the supply of temporary accommodation. The programme, established two years ago, has expanded to encompass demand management and income generation.

Councillor Abi Kingston, Deputy Cabinet Member for Homelessness Prevention and Temporary Accommodation, alongside officers Alex Clarke (Director, Housing Strategy and Homelessness Prevention) and Lee Giorgio (Assistant Director, Benefits and Homelessness Prevention), and Simone Van Elk (Programme Manager, Corporate Transformation), presented the programme's progress.

The programme is structured around three key workstreams:

• Demand Management: This stream focuses on understanding the root causes of homelessness, implementing interventions to prevent it, and improving the resident's journey through the service. Efforts include redesigning the homelessness front door, investing in staff training, and strengthening partnerships with voluntary sector organisations and other public bodies. A key challenge identified is a 29% decrease in successful prevention and relief outcomes since 2025/26, attributed partly to private landlords leaving the market following the Renters' Rights Act.
• Supply: The aim is to increase the supply of cost-effective temporary accommodation by securing new properties. This involves a balanced portfolio of owned properties, long-term leases, and, where necessary, more flexible options like Private Sector Leases (PSL) and nightly paid accommodation. The Council is investing significantly, with a £145 million capital programme budget for 2026/27, to acquire properties within Hackney and neighbouring boroughs.
• Income: This workstream focuses on maximising income from central government by reducing housing benefit subsidy loss. This includes aligning temporary accommodation rents with current Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and exploring the transfer of temporary accommodation management to the council's housing company to legally bypass subsidy loss limitations.

The financial implications of the programme are significant, with projected savings of £11.6 million over three years for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and £5.4 million for the General Fund. However, risks include external factors influencing demand, the availability of suitable new TA supply, capacity constraints within services, and potential changes to housing benefit regulations.

Commission members raised several points of inquiry, including the quality of temporary accommodation, the impact of placing families out of borough, and the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Officers assured the Commission that regular inspections are conducted, and efforts are made to keep families within London and close to Hackney. The challenges posed by the Renters' Rights Act and the shrinking private rented sector were discussed, with a focus on developing attractive offers for landlords. The Council is also working to mitigate subsidy loss through various means, including acquisitions and potential use of the housing company.

Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27

The Commission reviewed and agreed the draft work programme for the upcoming municipal year. The programme is a live document and subject to change, reflecting the dynamic nature of housing provision and the economy. It was developed through consultation with Commission members, non-executive councillors, cabinet members, senior officers, the Resident Liaison Group, and local residents.

Key themes for the work programme include:

• Housing Complaints Annual Report
• Homelessness & Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Accommodation, Advocacy & Support
• Boat Dweller Advocacy & Support
• Housing Services Improvement Plan
• Housing Revenue Account Budget Monitoring
• Housing Associations Compact
• Supported Accommodation Strategy
• Housing Services Repairs & Maintenance
• Retrofit of Council Homes
• Local Plan 2029: Housing & Affordable Homes
• Private Sector Landlord Licensing
• Implementation of Renters' Rights Act

A particular focus for future meetings will be to incorporate voices from affected communities, with plans to invite members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, and boat dweller communities to share their experiences. The Commission also noted that two responses via email had been received and would be discussed in October.

The Commission also noted that there were no scrutiny reports, letters, or responses to discuss at this meeting, and no actions or information requests had been made yet. The draft minutes of the previous meeting, held on 6 July 2026, were agreed.