11 August 2023
Your request
Focal Research has been providing specialist information for over 30 years in the UK social housing sector and conducts bespoke research into the businesses, services and systems that support Local Authorities and Housing Associations. As part of this work, the company engages with registered providers to consolidate and confirm important operational information.
I would like to confirm through this Freedom of Information request the following questions relating to affordable housing development and newbuilds built by the local authority (LA) or a development company on behalf of the LA:
1. Is London Borough of Lambeth Council developing any new social housing? YES/NO
a. If yes.
i. How many units will be built and completed in the financial year 2022/23 (this year)?
1. How many of these units are for rent?
2. How many of these units are for sale?
b. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial year 2023/24 (next year)?
c. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial years 2023/24 - 2028/29 (next five years)?
2. Does London Borough of Lambeth Council have its own Development Company? YES/NO
a. If yes, what is its name, postal address, and phone number?
3. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development London Borough of Lambeth Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial year 2023/24 (this year)?
4. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development London Borough of Lambeth Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial years 2023/24 to 2028/29 (next five years)?
5. Please can you provide the name, e-mail, and postal address of the person responsible for running the Development Company?
Our response
- Is London Borough of Lambeth Council developing any new social housing? YES/NO
Answer: YES
a. If yes.
i. How many units will be built and completed in the financial year 2022/23 (this year)?
Answer: The council did not directly deliver homes during this period as all homes were being delivered through the council’s housing company, Homes for Lambeth (HFL), which currently being closed down and functions brought into the council. In the financial year 2022/23 HFL completed 30 homes, comprising of 25 council rent and 5 shared ownerships.
Furthermore, we want to highlight that through partnerships and the planning process, the council has, and continues to, deliver significant numbers of homes. Please see the latest Lambeth pipeline reports for further detail, they can be found using this link to the planning policy monitoring webpage. Please note that the 2022/23 pipeline report will not be produced until autumn 2023.
ii. How many of these units are for rent?
Answer: Not applicable
iii. How many of these units are for sale?
Answer: Not applicable
b. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial year 2023/24 (next year)?
Answer: HFL will be completing several homes (see answer to q3 below)
c. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial years 2023/24 - 2028/29 (next five years)?
Answer: 46 homes are currently being built and a programme of sites is being worked on by the council following the announcement in December 2022 of its intention to close its wholly owned subsidiary, Homes for Lambeth. The exact number cannot be confirmed at this stage.
2. Does London Borough of Lambeth Council have its own Development Company? YES/NO - ?
Answer: Yes, the council has a wholly owned subsidiary called Homes for Lambeth, which is being closed down and functions brought into the council.
a. If yes, what is its name, postal address, and phone number?
Answer: Homes for Lambeth, Lambeth Town Hall, 6 Brixton Hill SW2 1RW.
3. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development London Borough of Lambeth Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial year 2023/24 (this year)?
Answer: 2 for council rent and 4 for shared ownership.
4. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development London Borough of Lambeth Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial years 2023/24 to 2028/29 (next five years)?
Answer: Including the above being delivered this financial year, HFL will deliver 65 for council rent, 4 shared ownership and 14 bespoke shared ownership homes ringfenced for existing leaseholders on affected estates.
5. Please can you provide the name, e-mail, and postal address of the person responsible for running the Development Company?
Answer:
Sandra Roebuck
Interim CEO
Email: Sandra@homesforlambeth.co.uk