Purpose

To approve use of the fund for this purpose

Decision

RESOLVED that approval is given for expenditure of £20,000 from S106 contributions to part fund the refurbishment of and transfer to general needs use; a four bedroom home in Meadow Way, owned by Abri and formally used as a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for people with learning disabilities. The proposals will be funded through s106 Agreement developer contributions totalling £20,000 specifically from: The Barn, Watersplash Lane, Warfield Kingswood, Kings Ride, Ascot Reasons for recommendation(s) YN800 04/09/2024 £17,364.00 YN600 24/11/2022 £2,636.00

Reasons for the decision

The property in Meadow Way was formally used as a HMO by the Community Team for People with Learning Difficulties (CTPLD) prior to the development of Bridgewell. The property is therefore, no longer required for this client group with an alternate use as a family home discussed and agreed with both Abri and the NHS who hold a restrictive covenant on the property.

The restrictive covenant requires that occupation is limited to individuals with a learning disability and or who are neurodivergent.

The cost to refurbish the property and to enable it to be used for a single family, exceed the net present value (NPV) for Abri and as such, they were prepared to dispose of this asset due to the excess costs.

The Council has offered to fund the additional works required to enable the property to be used as a general needs housing to enable it to be offered to a family who satisfy the requirements of the NHS covenant.

The additional works to enable the property to be used for general needs housing, includes but is not limited to, removal of a conservatory and garage as well as the replacement of internal doors, and general conversion from a HMO to single family use.

Abri will fund the remainder of the costs, estimated to be approximately £15,000 and will continue to own and manage the property.

On average, there have only been four properties of this size (4 bedrooms) made available for letting on average per year, for at least the past 5 years. The average wait for properties of this size is over 6 years, with over 35 households seeking four bedroom accommodation.

The property will be directly matched by the housing service, to a family on the housing register in housing need and who have been waiting several years in overcrowded accommodation, meeting the criteria to satisfy the NHS covenant.

Alternative options considered

The Council could choose not to provide the funding for the conversion of this property which would mean the property will likely be disposed of by Abri and thereby no longer available for use as social housing in the Borough.