Richmond upon Thames Council has welcomed Altin Smiley as its new Director of Housing, a move central to a broader strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and reducing the borough's reliance on temporary accommodation.
Altin Smiley, who joins from Kensington and Chelsea Council, brings extensive experience in implementing housing policy changes and is expected to foster stronger relationships with private landlords. His appointment is part of a comprehensive transformation program focusing on four key priorities: Prevention, Move-On, Cost Reduction, and Increasing Income.
The council's strategy for reducing reliance on temporary accommodation includes the adoption of a new Private Rented Sector Offer Policy. This policy is designed to provide a pathway for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to secure settled accommodation in the private rented sector.
The aim is to assist people in moving into settled accommodation at the earliest opportunity and to ensure that any necessary temporary accommodation is provided at the lowest cost to the Council without compromising standards.
Paul Chadwick, Executive Director of Resident Services, emphasised the council's dedication to improving housing services for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Our real aim is to make the whole service that much better for anyone in the borough who is at risk of homeless or who is already homeless,
he stated. We're doing our level best to provide them a much more certain service, a much more helpful service, one that's not so crowded, so chaotic, frankly.
These improvements are being addressed through a whole system review
of the homelessness system and the implementation of the Private Rented Sector Offer Policy, which aims to provide a more settled and less chaotic pathway to accommodation. The council is also reviewing its Allocations Policy and 10+plus-one leasing arrangements.
As of 31 May 2026, Richmond accommodated 794 households in temporary accommodation. While Richmond is noted as having one of the lowest provisions of temporary accommodation in London, its usage is growing at a rate six times faster than the London average. Specific capacity figures or utilisation rates were not detailed in the meeting information.
The success of Altin Smiley's tenure and the broader strategy will be measured through a review report presented to the committee. Key metrics for the Private Rented Sector Offer Policy include offers made, acceptance, refusal rates, review requests... and the outcomes.
The council will also track tenancy sustainment, how you're going to keep track of that after six, 12 months
and any households that return as homeless.
The overarching goal is to ensure that these measures lead to a reduction in temporary accommodation numbers.
The Private Rented Sector Offer Policy is set to be implemented immediately, as it draws on existing powers within the Housing Act 1996. Tangible improvements are expected to be reflected in financial savings, projected to rise from £40,000 in the first year (2026-27) to £1.92 million by 2029-30. A review of the policy's implementation is planned, with the committee suggesting an earlier review than the standard nine months would be beneficial.
Further details on the council's housing strategy can be found in the Public reports pack Thursday 30-Jul-2026 19.00 Adult Social Services Health and Housing Committee.
