The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the draft HRA Asset Management Strategy, the national plan to end homelessness, and the draft recommendations from a 12-month strategic review into homelessness. The committee was also set to receive an update on Housing Operations performance for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year and review its work programme.

Consultation on Draft HRA Asset Management Strategy

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Management Strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31. This strategy outlines the council's plans for investment in its housing stock, aligning with the council's priority of A safe place to call home. The strategy details achievements over the past five years, the current strategic context, the condition of homes, and the aims, objectives, and priorities for investment over the next five years. It also includes a financial plan and outlines how resident feedback has shaped the strategy. Key priorities for investment include building and fire safety, achieving the Decent Homes Standard, delivering reliable services, tackling damp and mould, improving repairs and maintenance, addressing energy efficiency, and investing in community spaces on estates. The report also details the consultation plan for the strategy.

National Plan to End Homelessness

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing A National Plan to End Homelessness, published by the government in December 2025. The report was scheduled to summarise the key elements of this plan, which aims to end homelessness in all its forms, making it brief, rare, and non-recurring. The plan outlines cross-government themes including poverty and health, and details long-term, medium-term, and immediate actions. Islington Council's Housing Needs Service was noted as being well-placed to align with the plan's ethos, with existing services already prioritising prevention. The report also detailed Islington's current actions and intended future steps to align with the national plan, as well as appendices outlining the government's policy paper and Islington's specific response.

Draft Recommendations from the Homelessness Strategic Review

The committee was due to review the initial draft recommendations stemming from its 12-month strategic review into homelessness. The review, which involved analysing reports, data, and conducting interviews with residents and partners, concluded that homelessness is a system-made crisis rather than an individual failing. The draft recommendations advocate for a shift from crisis management to shared, person-centred homelessness prevention, with a call for increased social housing through ex Right to Buy acquisitions and new council-rented homes. Specific recommendations included a national ask for government funding to purchase 200 ex Right to Buy homes annually, an urgent update to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, and the enshrining of housing as a human right in national legislation. The draft also addressed the need to end exploitation and prevent tenancy breakdown, particularly cuckooing, and called for gender-specific accommodation and support for women experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, it highlighted the risks faced by migrants and refugees, the importance of investment in adult social care and mental health services, and the need for stronger regulatory oversight of homelessness and supported accommodation services. The committee was invited to review and suggest improvements to these recommendations before their final approval.

Housing Operations Service Performance Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the Housing Operations Service's performance for Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year. The report provided a summary of key performance indicators (KPIs) across various service areas, including Homelessness, Income, Antisocial Behaviour, Estate Services, NRPF and Migrant Services, and Housing Fraud. The report indicated that while Antisocial Behaviour and Estate Services showed improved performance compared to the previous year, Homelessness indicators presented ongoing challenges, particularly the rising number of households in temporary accommodation. Rent arrears also showed an increasing trend. The report also highlighted key risks and challenges facing the service, such as demand pressures in homelessness services and the cost-of-living context impacting rent arrears.

Work Programme 2025/26

Finally, the committee was scheduled to review its work programme for the remainder of the 2025/26 year. The agenda indicated that topics for future meetings included the final report on the homelessness review, the national plan to end homelessness, the asset management strategy, and the Q3 housing performance report.