The Housing Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 22 February 2024, to discuss the council's approach to temporary accommodation, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and the Waltham Forest Housing Compact. The committee endorsed the Housing Compact 2024-2029 and noted reports on temporary accommodation and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. Decisions were also made regarding the Priory Court development and the future of Sixty Bricks.

Temporary Accommodation

The committee received an update on the provision of temporary accommodation (TA) in Waltham Forest. Ms. Lindsay Megson, Interim Director of Housing Options and Support, introduced the report, highlighting the increasing demand for homelessness services across London, with a rise in households in temporary accommodation. The report detailed the council's current practices and planned enhancements, including efforts to prevent homelessness and support residents in moving into long-term homes.

Officers explained that while the council aims to house residents within the borough, a significant number are accommodated in other London boroughs and further afield due to a lack of affordable housing within Waltham Forest. The committee discussed the challenges of procuring and retaining suitable accommodation, noting an increase in the use of commercial hotels.

Regarding support for households in TA, a team of Temporary Accommodation Resettlement Support Officers (TARSO) provides assistance through workshops on topics such as benefits, education, employment, and health and wellbeing. The committee heard that there is no financial assistance provided for transport costs for children attending schools outside the borough, although long-term placements may involve school changes.

The committee also explored initiatives to make Waltham Forest more attractive to private landlords and discussed the potential for a pan-London clearing system for accommodation. The report noted that the council has leased four new properties for TA, which are estimated to save £3.3 million annually compared to commercial hotels.

The committee noted the report, with no specific decisions made beyond noting the information presented.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

The committee reviewed the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029, introduced by Mr. Eoin Quiery, Head of Housing Strategy. The strategy aims to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping, making it rare, brief and non-recurrent. It is underpinned by three intermediate outcomes: improving early intervention and support, empowering residents to make decisions about their housing, and supporting residents in TA to move into long-term homes.

The committee requested sight of the Equalities Impact Assessment for the strategy, which officers confirmed would be circulated. They also discussed the monitoring of the strategy's progress, with Ms. Megson explaining that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are outlined in the delivery plan. The committee expressed a view that it would be appropriate for them to have sight of these KPIs.

The committee noted the report. An action was agreed for officers to circulate the Equalities Impact Assessment to the committee.

Waltham Forest Housing Compact 2024-2029

Councillor Elizabeth Baptiste, Renters Commissioner, and Mr. John Coker, Assistant Director of Housing Strategy, presented the draft Waltham Forest Housing Compact 2024-2029. This compact sets out the framework for the council's partnership with housing associations to deliver housing and resident priorities. It aligns with the overarching Housing Strategy and is structured around three key themes: four partnership promises for resident-focused services, how partners will work together, and an outcomes framework.

The committee discussed the governance of the Compact, with Mr. Coker explaining that the Compact Leadership Board would be comprised of members, senior council officers, and senior housing association officers. Councillor Emma Best moved a recommendation for proportional political representation on the board if it were not exclusively an Executive board, which was unanimously agreed after an amendment.

The committee also raised concerns about voids (properties left vacant) and tenancy fraud, suggesting these become a focus for the Housing Compact. Mr. Garrod acknowledged these issues and stated that the council would work with housing associations and the anti-fraud team to address them, noting potential data protection implications.

The committee endorsed the report. Actions were agreed to ensure councillor engagement is a priority within the Compact and to explore ward councillors' access to information on registered providers, along with a point of contact for accountability. It was also agreed that Housing Compact performance would be reported back to the Housing Scrutiny Committee regularly.

Priory Court Delivery and Sixty Bricks Next Steps

The committee considered proposals for the Priory Court development and the future of Sixty Bricks, the council's development company. Mr. Mark Crane, Acting Director of Housing Assets and Delivery, presented the report.

Priory Court Delivery: The committee was informed of a proposal to deliver the Priory Court project, comprising 83 new homes, with a revised tenure mix of 100% affordable housing (21 social rent and 62 shared ownership). This change was necessary to secure £5 million in grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Brownfield Land Release Fund, which required construction to commence by the end of March 2024. The funding strategy involves the General Fund covering development costs during construction, with the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) purchasing the homes upon completion. The committee heard that this approach would deliver value for money and meet the HRA's financial hurdles.

Sixty Bricks Next Steps: The committee also considered a proposal to make Sixty Bricks dormant. Following a review of the company's Phase 1 programme and its updated delivery pipeline, it was concluded that due to challenging market conditions and financial constraints, the council could not provide the necessary investment for Sixty Bricks to remain viable. Making the company dormant would minimise financial exposure and retain the option to revive it in the future. Future housing delivery would be managed in-house or through developer partnerships.

The committee endorsed the report, with the committee endorsing the Priory Court proposals for Cabinet and noting the proposed next steps for Sixty Bricks.

Committee Forward Plan and Action Tracker

Ms. Emily Wood, Scrutiny Officer, presented the Committee Forward Plan and Action Tracker. The committee noted the plan and tracker, and the responses to previous recommendations. The committee was informed that officers had provided updated figures regarding core government funding and resident engagement, and that work was ongoing to improve the home swap mechanism and ensure politically proportional representation on the Compact Leadership group. The committee also noted that issues around void properties and tenancy fraud are covered under Compact Outcome 1c and the Delivery Plan.

The committee noted the Forward Plan and Action Tracker.