Issue - meetings

Officer: Leonard Asamoah

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to

1.            Note the £38 million over three years potentially being made available by MHCLG specifically for pan-London collaboration on the procurement of accommodation for homeless households;

2.            Approve the decision to join a Company Limited by Guarantee (provisionally, “Capital Letters London Ltd” Capital Letters) that will be established by the London boroughs to support the aforementioned aims, as an ‘A’ member;

3.            Approve the appointment of the Head of Housing Assessment and Solutions as the Council’s Member Representative of Capital Letters; and

4.            Delegate authority to the Director of Housing Assessment and Solutions in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Gateway services and the Director of Law and Monitoring to approve operational staffing and arrangements, the final form of agreement and documents and all other matters pertaining to the Council’s membership of and participation in Capital Letters.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services stated the proposal to join “Capital Letters” would lead to improved outcomes for homeless families; including the health and education of those affected. As a not for profit organisation and potential access to £38m of grants for London boroughs, it was hoped that homelessness could be tackled with accommodation in or near to Croydon being made available as councils would no longer be competing for Croydon accommodation. With London councils working together it was anticipated that economies of scale would also be realised.

The Cabinet Member noted that homelessness had increased by 60% nationally since 2011 with London seeing the biggest increase with a desperate shortage of affordable housing being a contributing factor and a housing allowance freeze which saw the average family being £300 short per month for the rent of their home.

The Opposition stated they welcomed the paper and the opportunity for Croydon families to be offered accommodation closer to home and achieving economies of scale through working with other councils.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member stated Croydon was one of the councils coming forward to join the organisation and that it remained an evolving situation. Work would continue to reduce the housing list and it was stated that it remained an ambition to move people into permanent accommodation as soon as possible.

The Head of Housing Solutions confirmed Croydon was the 12^th council to join this scheme and would provide additional detailed information for the Shadow Cabinet Member on the expectations for Capital Letters in years 1 and 2, and the total number of homes to be provided.

The Leader of the Council delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to

1.               Note the £38 million over three years potentially being made available by MHCLG specifically for pan-London collaboration on the procurement of accommodation for homeless households;

2.               Approve the decision to join a Company Limited by Guarantee (provisionally, “Capital Letters London Ltd” Capital Letters) that will be established by the London boroughs to support the aforementioned aims, as an ‘A’ member;

3.               Approve the appointment of the Head of Housing Assessment and Solutions as the Council’s Member Representative of Capital Letters; and

4.               Delegate authority to the Director of Housing Assessment and Solutions in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Gateway services and the Director of Law and Monitoring to approve operational staffing and arrangements, the final form of agreement and documents and all other matters pertaining to the Council’s membership of and participation in Capital Letters.