Housing association partnership agreement

Our Partnership Agreement sets out how the council works in partnership with housing associations in the borough.

Well-managed, safe, decent and affordable homes

To ensure that our existing homes receive the investment they need, are well-managed, safe, decent and affordable. This means:

Homes are free from damp and mould
Homes meet and exceed modern requirements for their building safety, security, warmth and physical accessibility
We retrofit our existing homes to meet our ambitions for net zero carbon homes
Those homes will be part of neighbourhoods of choice, connected to economic opportunities and strategic infrastructure, and offering an excellent quality of life for all parts of the community

Work in partnership with the council to address the challenges our residents face with the cost-of-living crisis. This means:

People in housing need, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can quickly access social housing or other affordable housing options so they can retain their place in Islington
That no-one will need to sleep rough in Islington

Deliver new homes in the borough. This means:

We consistently deliver the right homes in the right places, providing the number and mix of new homes for the future needs of Islington
The new homes we build enhance the choice, affordability, quality and variety of housing available in neighbourhoods, and are accompanied by social and other infrastructure residents need and the existing community to thrive, including schools, health facilities and green spaces
That the quality and design of new homes means we can better match the housing supply to the future housing needs and incomes of all of Islington’s residents
We aim to ensure the construction industry in Islington is a centre of excellence and innovation

Deliver excellent services to our residents. This means:

Benchmark across the partnership to drive service improvements for the benefit of residents
Aim to be in the top quartile for all national performance indicators published by the regulator of social housing
All partners to contribute positively to community safety and anti-social behaviour work

Provide opportunities for residents to provide their feedback and participate in shaping the services they receive. This means:

Listen and respect residents’ views. But more importantly respond to these views
Respect diversity and promote equality of opportunity for all sections of society
Be transparent and honest with everyone
Respond to elected member and MP enquiries within 10 working days
Openly share best practice or learning insights/examples across the local partnership
Improve resident engagement to empower residents

Work in strategic partnership. This means:

Participate in refugee resettlement programmes to ensure that this offer also includes those displaced by war and needing sanctuary.
Work in partnership with the council to develop Housing First across Islington
Work in partnership to develop best practice in fire risk assessment and building safety
Contribute to the development and implementation of the housing strategy and the homelessness prevention and rough sleeping strategy
Commit to meeting the needs of all vulnerable tenants
Work in partnership to deliver the council’s care values
Ensure 100% of new build lettings and 95% of subsequent lettings are allocated through a partnership nominations agreement.