Issue - meetings

This report requests approval to enter into a contract with Capital  (London) Limited, a lettings company owned by a consortium of London Authorities for the provision of accommodation for homeless households, as required by Contract Standing Orders 88.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Council entering into a contract with Capital Letters (London) Limited for the procurement of private rented accommodation for the prevention and relief of homelessness at an average cost of £2,500 per property sourced by the company.

The Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, Councillor Southwood, introduced the report which was seeking approval to enter into a contract with Capital Letters (London) Limited for the provision of accommodation for homeless households.  Cabinet noted that the Council had been working with Capital Letters since October 2019, with the relationship being successful in increasing access to housing in Brent and ensuring residents had first choice of properties. The contract did not stand alone but formed part of a wider programme of measures to tackle the shortage of affordable social housing in the borough, including the Council’s housing partnerships with i4b and First Wave Housing Ltd.

Members’ attention was drawn to the performance of Capital Letters since Brent had joined, which had included a total of 374 properties being made available to Brent residents as well as the associated financial benefits arising from the subsidy arrangements.  In addition, further assurance was provided in relation to the oversight and governance arrangements at both Lead Member and officer level, as detailed in section 4.17 of the report.

Cabinet supported the proposal to formalise the partnership, commending the positive impact on availability of social housing through boroughs working collaboratively and avoiding competing for the same properties.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)  approve the Council entering into a contract with Capital Letters (London) Limited for the procurement of private rented accommodation for the prevention and relief of homelessness at an average cost of £2,500 per property sourced by the company.