Purpose

To confirm the allocation and distribution of
the Household Support Fund extension.

Content

That the Corporate Director Residents and
Housing Services, in consultation with the then Cabinet Member for
Housing and Resident Support:
 
i)              
Approves the proposed allocation of Household Support Fund funding,
as follows:
a.   
Resident Support Fund Proposals for 2025-26
                                              
i.    
That food vouchers for residents with children on free school meals
continue up to and including 31 October 2025 based on £15 per
child per week.
                                             
ii.    
The allocation of food vouchers will be reviewed in advance of the
Christmas Holidays (before 30 September 2025)
                                           
iii.    
It is proposed that at least £1,565,482 of the grant is
allocated to the Council’s Resident Support Fund for
residents in crisis to proactively apply for support with food,
energy and water, or wider essentials. Existing mechanisms and
eligibility criteria will be used to distribute the funds. A
further sum may be available, but this is dependent on the decision
on continuing food vouchers beyond October half term.
b.   
New Horizons Centre
                                              
i.    
The total 2025-25 expected costs for ‘annual operational
costs for New Horizons includes the contract fee for the Community
Wellbeing Service with Sufra, the
centre manager post, as well as centre maintenance, utilities and
security presence. With the centre expanding to a 5-day per week
service and services including Families’ Homelessness Service
moving in, 2025-26 expected costs are higher as additional security
presence is required than initially costed. £400k is the
direct cost of the service contract with Sufra.
c.    
Employment Skills
                                              
i.    
It is proposed that £20,000 of fund is allocated to the Grand
Union Employment and Skills Hub with London’s Community
Kitchen to enhance employment chances for residents.
d.   
Debt Advice
                                              
i.    
It is proposed £95,000 is allocated to support Citizens
Advice to support residents with debt advice, and £25,000 to
the Sheriff Centre for debt advice.
e.   
Immigration Advice
                                              
i.    
This will continue to be provided by Northwest London Law Centres
at a cost of £50,000.
f.     
Additional Food Initiatives
                                              
i.    
It is considered prudent to set aside £10,000 for additional
food initiatives and or emergency requirements
g.   
Credit Union Support Proposal
                                              
i.    
£100,000 of the grant will be allocated to the Credit Union
to support households with multiple debts with interest free loans,
on the basis that they meet the affordability criteria. Since
August 2020 to 31 March 2024, 442 households have been supported
with £1,513,972 financial support with interest free loans.
Of this, £533,400.32 has been repaid in instalments by
households.
h.   
Well and Warm
                                              
i.    
The Well and Warm Scheme supports older residents adversely
affected by the pressures caused by ongoing high utility charges.
The scheme supports vulnerable residents in keeping their homes
warm particularly during the winter period. Brent partners with
Green Doctors to offer residents a free consultation and advice
from energy experts. The cost for this is £136,000.
i.     
Future Funding – Establishing if reserve
                                              
i.    
Notes that the 2024 assumption for the Council’s budget to
support this work as agreed by Cabinet on 5 February 2024 for
2025-26 at £1,490,000 is no longer valid. The requirement is
reduced following the Household Support Fund award and this budget
is set aside, alongside unused funding from 2025-26 as a
reserve.

Reasons for the decision

The Cabinet delegated the decision to the
Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Resident Support.

Alternative options considered

A range of options were considered, including
reducing or removing the provision of food vouchers for residents
in receipt of free school meals, however, the recommended decision
is to keep the food voucher provision until at least end of October
2025 half-term. The allocation form November 2025 onwards will be
decided by 30 September 2025.