An independent commission on the future of council housing in a local authority has been launched.
Housing lawyer Jan Luba QC is leading the commission which will examine medium and long-term prospects for the future of council housing in Southwark.
Tenants and leaseholders will provide evidence to the commission which is exploring options for the financing, ownership and operation of Southwark’s council housing stock, which is the largest in London (comprising 39,000 council rented homes and 16,700 council leasehold properties).
Findings from the commission – which is expected to propose a 30-year investment strategy – will be presented to the council in October.
Without substantial investment Southwark faces a major housing crisis as its housing waiting list exceeds 19,000 and significant work is needed to repair and improve existing homes.
Mr Luba said: ‘For understandable reasons, much of the recent thinking about council housing has focused on short-term issues. In contrast, this commission will be taking a considered and informed look at the future of council housing in the longer term.’
Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing at Southwark, said: ‘Southwark Council’s housing commission is unique in that it is fully independent. I feel it’s important for residents to see the current housing situation has been stringently considered by people of the highest calibre and expertise and I have every confidence that the team will produce the goods for Southwark residents.
‘The commission’s role is to direct energy into viable solutions for the future of council housing in the borough and this first meeting will be to form the strategy going forward before beginning to ask residents to get involved.’