The Housing Management and Almshouses Sub (Community and Children's Services) Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of housing-related matters, including updates on the Housing Strategy, the approval of local lettings policies, and reports on fire safety and major works programmes. The committee was also set to review the outcome of a Regulator of Social Housing inspection and consider plans for improving the out-of-hours housing service.

Housing Strategy 2024-29 Years 2 & 3 Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft action plan for years two and three of the Housing Strategy 2024-29, covering the period from 2026 to 2028. This plan builds on the first year's focus on stabilising core services and strengthening compliance, aiming to embed improvements, enhance resident confidence, and demonstrate sustained regulatory compliance. Key areas of focus were identified as strengthening health, fire, and building safety; improving repairs, asset management, and value for money; enhancing resident engagement and co-design; and improving data quality and performance insight. The committee was asked to approve the draft action plan and delegate authority to the Director of Housing to make minor amendments arising from post-inspection engagement with the Regulator of Social Housing.

Approval of Local Lettings Policies

A key decision for the committee was the approval of two Local Lettings Policies (LLPs). The first was for the allocation of 110 new social rented homes at Bean Tree Court and Otto Close on the Sydenham Hill Estate. This policy proposed a 50/50 nomination split between the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Lewisham, with allocations made through direct offers outside the Choice Based Lettings process. Priority was to be given to existing City of London tenants, particularly those decanted from Mais House, and households with overcrowding, under-occupancy, or medical/welfare needs. The second policy concerned the extension of the LLP for Black Raven Court (CoLPAI), which comprised 66 new social rented homes. This policy also proposed a 50/50 nomination split, this time between the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Islington, with priority for existing City of London tenants, especially those on the Golden Lane Estate who are overcrowded, under-occupying, or have significant housing needs. Both policies were time-limited and designed to ensure the best use of new homes, meet identified housing needs, and support stable communities. Equality Impact Assessments had been completed for both policies, with no adverse impacts identified.

Regulator of Social Housing Inspection

The committee was to be updated on the outcome of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) inspection, which resulted in a C3 Consumer Standards grading, indicating serious failings requiring improvement. The report noted that this grading reflected historic under-investment in housing stock, and that the City of London Corporation had committed to a £211 million investment programme over 10 years to address safety, quality, and Decent Homes compliance. The Corporation accepted the findings and was working at pace to address the issues, aiming for full regulatory compliance within three years. The report also provided benchmarking against other London local authority landlords, showing the City of London's outcome was not an outlier.

Housing Strategy 2024-29 Year 1 Action Plan - End of Year Update

An update was scheduled on the delivery of Year 1 of the Housing Strategy Action Plan (2025-26). The report highlighted achievements in areas such as repairs and maintenance, statutory compliance, complaints handling, performance management, resident engagement, and building safety. It also noted actions that were not fully completed within Year 1, largely due to external factors like regulatory change and contractor market instability, which had been carried forward into Years 2-3 with revised timescales.

Quarterly Fire Safety Status Report

This report was intended to provide members with an oversight of the status and outcomes of fire safety management in the Corporation's social housing. It was set to cover the fire risk assessment programme, the fire strategy programme, and updates on the new Risk Base software platform for tracking FRA actions. The report was also to include information on fire safety management in higher-risk buildings and an update on new legal duties concerning Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs) and Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) from April 2026.

Housing Major Works Programme 2026-36

A progress update was scheduled on the development of the Housing Major Works Programme for 2026-36. This programme, supported by a £211 million funding package, will encompass upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, lifts, roofs, and communal spaces, as well as extensive fire safety and electrical works. Decarbonisation was also highlighted as a key focus. The report was to detail the programme's monitoring and management structure, the early stages of a fire safety planned maintenance programme, and existing pipeline projects. It also outlined the restructure of the Major Works Team, new resident engagement initiatives, and the appointment of multidisciplinary consultants.

Housing Matters Update

This update was to cover several key issues being addressed by the Housing Team. These included an update on the Housing Key Risk Matrix for March 2026, details of allocated Member/Senior Management Team leads for City estates, and a recruitment update for the Health and Fire Safety Team and Senior Management Team. The report was also to discuss the implications of the government's Warm Homes Plan for City of London social housing, focusing on decarbonisation and energy efficiency. Additionally, an update on the new Decent Homes Standard (DHS) and its implications for social housing by 2035 was scheduled, alongside an update on Social Rent Convergence. Finally, there was to be an update on the Black Raven Court and Bean Tree Court developments.

Housing Out of Hours Service - Current Arrangements and Improvement Plan

The committee was to receive an update on the current arrangements for the Housing Out of Hours service, highlighting what was not working effectively and outlining plans for improvement. The report was to detail the current provision through Call Care Limited and the Chigwell helpdesk for emergency repairs, as well as separate arrangements for sheltered housing. Issues such as fragmented services, inconsistent communication, limited visibility, and resident confusion were to be discussed, with early proposals for a more coordinated and resident-focused approach.

Housing Complaints Update

This report was to provide an overview of Housing Complaints data for the 2025/26 financial year, up to 20 March 2026. It was to detail complaint volumes, escalation rates, key complaint themes (primarily repairs-related), acknowledgement and response performance against statutory timescales, and compensation paid. The report was also to summarise Housing Ombudsman determinations received during the year, highlighting key learning points and actions being taken in response, such as strengthened investigation training and improved communication standards. Compliments received by the Housing Service were also to be shared.

Allocated Member / Senior Management Team Leads

Details were to be provided on the Member/Senior Management Team (SMT) member twinning for City estates and local authority areas where the City has housing. The aim of this initiative is for lead members, supported by their SMT twins, to become familiar with estates in their patch, build relationships with local authority members, and act as City of London Corporation ambassadors.

Recruitment Update – Health and Fire Safety Team and Senior Management Team

An update was scheduled on recruitment for the Health and Fire Safety Team, with details to be covered in the non-public part of the agenda. Additionally, information was to be provided on the recruitment process for two vacancies on the senior management team, which were being covered by interim staff.

Warm Homes Plan – Implications for City of London Social Housing

The report was to discuss the government's £15bn Warm Homes Plan, focusing on its implications for City of London social housing. This included the plan's aims to lower energy bills, cut fuel poverty, and drive decarbonisation, with a shift towards electrification of homes. The report was to outline the implications for meeting the City of London Corporation's net zero targets, the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) requiring EPC C by 2030, and climate adaptation measures to address overheating. The Future Homes Standard, banning gas boilers in new homes from late 2027/early 2028, was also to be discussed.

The New Decent Homes Standard (DHS)

An update was scheduled on the new Decent Homes Standard, which will set baseline requirements for all social housing, including stricter procedures for damp and mould and a deadline of 2035 for compliance. The standard covers five criteria: Hazard Free, Repair, Modern Facilities, Thermal Comfort, and Damp and Mould.

Social Rent Convergence Update

The committee was to receive an update on the government's plans for social rent convergence. From April 2027, landlords will be allowed to increase weekly social rent by up to £1 above the standard CPI+1% uplift, rising to £2 per week from April 2028, until properties reach their formula rent level. The report was to explain the government's rationale for this approach, balancing tenant contributions with the sector's investment needs.

Update on Black Raven Court and Bean Tree Court

An update was scheduled on the Black Raven Court (CoLPAI) development of 66 new homes and the Bean Tree Court and Otto Close development of 110 new homes. The report was to confirm that handover had taken place and lettings had commenced for both schemes. It was noted that the contractor for Black Raven Court had gone into administration, requiring some homes to be held back for essential works, while the contractor for Bean Tree Court remained in place to address defects.

Allocated Member / Senior Management Team Leads

Details were to be provided on the Member/Senior Management Team (SMT) member twinning for City estates and local authority areas where the City has housing. The aim of this initiative is for lead members, supported by their SMT twins, to become familiar with estates in their patch, build relationships with local authority members, and act as City of London Corporation ambassadors.

Recruitment Update – Health and Fire Safety Team and Senior Management Team

An update was scheduled on recruitment for the Health and Fire Safety Team, with details to be covered in the non-public part of the agenda. Additionally, information was to be provided on the recruitment process for two vacancies on the senior management team, which were being covered by interim staff.