Camden Council Housing Shortfall

Around 16,000 people are currently on the waiting list for council properties in Camden and it is not uncommon for individuals to have to wait ten years to find a home.  At the same time, many estates and properties are now being starved of investment, allowing some properties to fall into disrepair.  There is a particular shortage of homes suitable for families so many are forced to live in overcrowded conditions, with 1,420 statutory homeless households living in temporary accommodation.  In the most unequal Borough in London, local people face extremely high housing costs in the private sector, with home ownership a distant prospect for many hard-working residents.

Camden Labour supports:

Investment in the existing council housing stock and more community facilities on estates. The building of more council housing on public land in the Borough.
Strict targets for all new private housing developments to contain at least 50% affordable housing. The so-called '4th option' for direct investment in council housing. The £12.2 bn given by the government to the London Mayor for housing to be invested in council housing.

The Lib Dem/Tory Council made big promises to the people of Camden in 2006 about repairing and renovating estates - promises they knew they couldn't keep.  Instead, they introduced a privatisation programme that is selling off significant numbers of council homes, including the sale of the freeholds to leasholders, meaning we lose the properties forever and pushing the chance to find a home further away for the thousands on the list - read more. 

With property prices so high in Camden, these homes will be lost to the general public, further reducing the diverse social mix of people that makes the Borough such a special place to live - read more. Labour believes that housing is a social service and therefore we must retain our council stock to prevent those who are vulnerable, disabled or have large families from losing all chance of council accomodation.

The coalition also proposes part-privatisation of caretaking services for the local housing stock - read more.

Camden Labour rejects this policy, which undermines a vital service for local people.  Caretakers are often responsible for far more than keeping estates clean and tidy - they are the eyes and ears of the local community and can provide a vital role in keeping an eye on the vulnerable and elderly.  We believe money should be invested in improving services rather than handed over to private companies.

With District Housing Offices being reduced from 5 to 2 people, we are also seeking far better and efficient liaison and participation with the council tenants themselves and an increase of power given to District Management Committees. Otherwise council housing co-ordination becomes much more centralised and tennants have nowhere to turn for support because of the loss of patch managers that they know and can consult.

Action

In stark contrast to the Town Hall, Camden Labour has made a strong and consistent case, alongside local residents, for investment in our Council homes.  We have taken our case direct to Ministers.  We have also stood up for tenants at the local level by opposing Lib Dem/Tory privatisation plans and supporting a tenants campaign launched on the 26th August to demand far greater tenant particpation in Camden.

Councillor Roger Robinson
Chair Housing Scrutiny Committee

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