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London temporary accommodation firm appoints former housing association director as chief executive
A temporary accommodation company jointly owned by 13 London councils has appointed Sue Coulson as its chief executive.
Capital Letters is a not-for-profit organisation that procures housing from private landlords across the city to use as accommodation for homeless households.
The company, which is backed by £38m of government grant, launched in March and this week completed its first letting – to a single mother and her baby in Tower Hamlets.
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Ms Coulson started her career at Coventry City Council, and has worked at housing associations DCH (now part of LiveWest), EMH Group and Orbit.
She said: “London faces a worsening homelessness crisis, and Capital Letters has a crucial role to play in improving housing options for homeless Londoners.
“Capital Letters is an exciting and innovative new approach, and I look forward to working with the boroughs, our partners and stakeholders to ensure that Capital Letters is a success.”
Capital Letters has also appointed Philip Smith as its director of finance and resources. He has previously held roles at Network, Aldwyck and CHS Group.
Capital Letters is designed to improve management of temporary accommodation and bring down councils’ costs by reducing competition between boroughs for suitable homes.
An Inside Housing investigation last summer revealed that councils across England spent nearly £1bn on temporary accommodation in 2017/18, with London’s 33 councils footing 78% of the bill.
Mark Baigent, chair of the Capital Letters board, said: “Capital Letters is a game changer in how we secure accommodation for those in need of housing.
“It’s fantastic that Sue is now in post and that Capital Letters has begun procuring accommodation on behalf of its member boroughs.
“We’re hugely pleased by the progress that has been made in getting Capital Letters off the ground.”
Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council and executive member for housing and planning at umbrella group London Councils, which has co-ordinated Capital Letters’ launch, said: “It’s brilliant news that Capital Letters has started securing accommodation for homeless Londoners.
“Capital Letters shows that boroughs are committed to working together to secure better results for residents.”
