Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee convened on Thursday, 18 December 2025, to discuss a comprehensive Housing Management Scrutiny Report, alongside other key housing-related issues.
The meeting, chaired by Councillor Hannah McHugh (Chair of Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee and Equalities Champion), addressed various aspects of council housing management, including the Decent Homes Standard, empty homes, repairs and maintenance, complaints handling, and tenant engagement. The Housing Management Scrutiny Report included information on the number of empty homes and what the council is doing to bring them back into use, as well as recommendations for improvement in these areas.
Also on the agenda was a review of the Allocation Scheme 2024, which dictates how social housing is allocated to those in need. The review covered the number of people on the waiting list, the availability of social homes, waiting times, and prioritisation criteria. Recommendations for changes to the scheme were also considered.
The committee further discussed a review of the Independent Housing Intensive Support (IHIS) Service, which supports tenants at risk of losing their homes. The review included data on service usage, support types, effectiveness in preventing homelessness, and costs, alongside recommendations for service improvements.
