Islington Council has invested £236 million in improving its housing stock, focusing on decent homes, fire safety, and damp and mould remediation. Despite this significant investment, the demand for housing continues to outstrip supply, with key performance indicators showing shortfalls in the delivery of new council homes.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, reviewed the council's corporate performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The report, available in the Public reports pack, highlighted that while 85% of delivery plan metrics were rated as 'green' (on track), the delivery of new council homes and securing planning consent for new homes fell below target.
Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, presented the report. He noted that 128 affordable new homes were completed, falling short of the target of 154. This shortfall is attributed to macro factors impacting all housebuilding activity across London and the UK.
Specifically, the report states that 126 homes were completed, below the 154 target... The report also mentions that 'sites to secure planning permission and build homes have been identified, and thus the target is missed due to not being secured in time, rather than not be found at all.'
Furthermore, planning consent was secured for 56 council homes, falling short of the adjusted target of 78. The target for planning consents was initially set at 178 but was later adjusted to 78 council homes, alongside consent for 10 affordable shared ownership homes. In 2025/26, consent was secured for 56 council homes and 11 shared ownership units, totalling 67 affordable units. As with home completions, the report clarifies that the target was missed due to delays in securing consent rather than a lack of identified sites.
The report also indicated that 16 individuals were still sleeping rough in the borough, exceeding the target of zero. However, this represents a decrease from 16 individuals in the previous quarter. Islington Council is developing a local action plan in response to the new National Plan to End Homelessness strategy, which is due to be published in the Autumn.
In terms of broader housing strategy, the council's long-term plans include continued investment in decent homes, building and fire safety, repairs, and damp and mould remediation, with a total investment of £235.9m across the delivery plan period.
The council has also purchased 805 former Right to Buy homes since the acquisition programme commenced
for use as temporary accommodation. Looking ahead, plans are in place to complete a further 22 council homes on Andover Estate, 27 council homes at Beaumont Rise, and 19 supported housing units at St John's Mansions in 2026/27.
Temporary accommodation rates remain below London averages, and no one is currently in bed and breakfast emergency accommodation.
