The Housing Scrutiny Committee of Camden Council is scheduled to discuss a range of important housing-related issues. Key topics include the council's strategy for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, the response to new legislation concerning housing hazards, and an update on the ongoing transformation of housing and repairs services.

Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan and Long Term Rough Sleeping Partnership Plan

The committee is set to consider the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan 2026, which outlines how Camden Council will deliver on the priorities set out in its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030. This plan details targets for improving performance in areas such as households in temporary accommodation, the use of bed and breakfast accommodation, and rough sleeping figures. It also covers the council's approach to partnership working, the suitability of temporary accommodation, and strategies for ending long-term rough sleeping. Alongside this, the committee will review the Long-Term Rough Sleeping Partnership Plan, developed in response to government requirements for councils with high levels of rough sleeping. This plan supports the national commitment to halve long-term rough sleeping by the end of the current Parliament, addressing Camden's specific challenge as having the second-highest number of people experiencing long-term rough sleeping in London. The report highlights that Camden has the second-highest number of people experiencing long-term rough sleeping in London, with a baseline figure of 96 people recorded in November 2025.¹

Response to Awaab's Law

A report will be presented on the council's response to Awaab's Law, a legislative change introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak. Phase 1 of the law focused on damp and mould hazards, requiring landlords to investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours. Phase 2, which comes into effect on 30 November 2026, expands the scope to include a wider range of significant hazards such as excess cold and heat, fire and electrical risks, structural collapse, risk of falls, and domestic hygiene. The report will detail how the council's repairs service has adapted to Phase 1, including the introduction of a Rapid Response Team and a dedicated damp and mould team, and how it is preparing for the extended requirements of Phase 2. The report notes that Phase 2 which increases the range of hazards in scope and goes live 30 November 2026.²

Housing & Repairs Transformation Programme Update: Homes & Communities Priorities

An update will be provided on the Housing & Repairs Transformation Programme, which was launched in 2024 to address changing regulations and financial pressures. The report will outline the restructuring of the programme and the new roles and structures now in place. A new directorate, Homes & Communities, has been established, bringing together services such as Money Advice Camden, refugee support, homelessness prevention, repairs, and property and landlord services to offer more integrated support for residents. The work of the transformation programme has now shifted to focus on four key priorities for the directorate: compliance, relational practice, digital change and transformation, and homelessness and temporary accommodation. The report states that The work of the transformation programme has now shifted into 4 clear priorities for the Homes & Communities directorate: compliance, relational practice, digital change and transformation, and homelessness and Temporary Accommodation (TA).³

Update from Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Homelessness Prevention

Councillor Anna Wright, Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Homelessness Prevention, will provide an update on various aspects of her portfolio. This will include information on campaigning for social homes, efforts to combat tenancy fraud including short-term lets, winter preparedness plans for communal heating networks, and progress on fire safety works, specifically the installation of fire doors. Updates on the Chalcots Estate project, Neighbourhood Action Days, and the publication of live public contact centre data for housing repairs are also scheduled. Additionally, there will be an update on the government's new Rough Sleeping Programme and progress on the Voids Improvement Programme, which aims to reduce the time it takes to turn around empty properties.

Work Programme and Forward Plan

The committee will also consider its work programme and forward plan for the upcoming year. This will involve reviewing suggested items for future discussion and confirming the committee's agenda for the year ahead, ensuring that key decisions and areas of scrutiny are appropriately scheduled.