Agenda item

Cabinet:

1.    Agreed to join Capital Letters (London) Limited, a company limited by guarantee established by the London boroughs, as a member. This will procure or lease accommodation for the benefit of those London boroughs that become members of the company including signing the relevant Membership Agreement and Deed of Adherence.

2.    Agreed to pay the annual sum of £100,000 from the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant to Capital Letters.

3.    Agreed that the Council is represented  as a Member by Cllr Chapman  and note that this can be changed subject to availability for any Member Meetings.

Councillor Joshua Chapman presented the Capital Letters report to Cabinet.  This report detailed the Capital Letters Scheme, which is a mechanism by which good quality homes will be procured for residents in the Borough.  All properties procured in the borough of Havering by Capital Letters will be procured for Havering Council on a first refusal basis. The Council will establish a robust property matching service to ensure that all properties are let to Havering residents. As members of Capital Letters we will gain some control on the procurement activity in the Borough to ensure local people benefit as far as possible.

This will save money and ensure we are able to assist families who are facing homelessness and need temporary accommodation.

Capital Letters was established in December 2018 to increase the supply of good quality rented accommodation for homeless households across London. They have already procured over 3,600 properties across London which have been used by the current 17 owning boroughs. Some of these have been procured in Havering and used by other boroughs. By joining the scheme we will get nomination rights to Havering properties and information regarding placements in other boroughs. 

By removing competition and duplication of effort, and by providing an organisation to represent all the London boroughs, Capital Letters offers a simpler and more straightforward interface (a One Stop Shop) for landlords, managing agents and developers anywhere in London who are able to provide properties for those families and other households most in need of accommodation. Capital Letters also offers faster payments to landlords (on behalf of member boroughs) and the confidence that they will be supported during tenancies as well as the households living in their properties.

This decision will secure good quality, affordable accommodation for the Borough and Councillor Chapman was delighted to commend the recommendations to Cabinet.

Cabinet:

1.    Agreed to join Capital Letters (London) Limited, a company limited by guarantee established by the London boroughs, as a member. This will procure or lease accommodation for the benefit of those London boroughs that become members of the company including signing the relevant Membership Agreement and Deed of Adherence.

2.    Agreed to pay the annual sum of £100,000 from the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant to Capital Letters.

3.    Agreed that the Council is represented as a Member by Cllr Chapman and noted that this can be changed subject to availability for any Member Meetings.