Challenge

Housing and homelessness pressures are the fastest-growing risk to London borough finances. Islington Council is forecasting increasing annual deficits on Temporary Accommodation spend over the next 5 years. PPL were commissioned to complete an independent TA efficiency review. The Council wanted to complete an in-depth assessment of their TA performance with a view to identifying where they perform well; and where there was scope to improve.

Our approach 

First, we developed and agreed four key lines of enquiry (KLOE) for the review:

  • Preventing homelessness and managing demand for TA
  • Placing households in TA
  • Throughput and move-on/ exits from TA
  • Commissioning, procuring and managing the TA portfolio

We collated local datasets for each line of enquiry, alongside benchmarking and comparative national and London data. We completed detailed quantitative analysis to explore each KLOE and present/ visualise the findings and insights. We held regular meetings with a core steering group to share, test and validate findings as they emerged.

Finally, we assessed the mitigation potential based on the insights and findings from the review. This helped us identify a number of opportunities for the service to focus on moving forward, with an indicative savings value (£) to help budget planning.

Impact 

Our review provided corporate colleagues with the assurance that the service was performing well in a number of areas, and helped explain why annual deficits were comparatively lower than other London Boroughs. It also validated existing opportunities the service were pursuing, with an estimated savings figure; and provided additional opportunities not currently considered. The Housing Needs service was also able to secure additional investment and resource due to the “invest to save” case outlined within our review.

“The work of PPL is the highest quality we have ever received from a paid consultancy practice. The findings have now allowed Islington Council to have a laser focus on the key areas identified, with clarity provided for our operational and strategic approaches. We would recommend PPL to any public sector organisation.”

Director of Housing Operations and Deputy Corporate Director