Purpose

In July 2025, the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee authorised the Executive Director for Housing, in consultation with the Committee Chair for Homes and Housing Delivery to take all necessary steps to enter into leases of at least 10 years plus one day against individual properties from providers (whether on the Emergency Accommodation framework or not), to satisfy the council’s emergency accommodation demands.
Specialist legal support was subsequently commissioned to support the process, subsequently identifying additional procurement matters that must be resolved before the longer-term arrangements can be implemented. The project team is progressing this work, with the full procurement process expected to be published in Q3 2026.
To maintain continuity of accommodation while the legal and procurement work is completed, it is proposed that 12-month block contracts are awarded through the Emergency Accommodation (EA) framework, expiring on 30 September 2027.
The total value of the interim arrangements is £4,911,115. Approximately £1,843,702 is expected to be recovered through Housing Benefit, resulting in an estimated net cost to the Council of £3,067,413.
The EA Framework was approved in June 2023 with a maximum value of £96 million. Expenditure through the framework to date is £32,543,670. Including the proposed interim arrangements, total expenditure would be approximately £37,454,785, which remains within the approved maximum framework value.
The 2026/27 budget included provision for an inflationary uplift to these

Decision

To approve the award of 12-month block contracts for Emergency Accommodation through the Emergency Accommodation Framework up to a maximum value of £4,911,115

Alternative options considered

Allow the contracts to expire – this would mean having to find alternative accommodation for households who are currently living in the accommodation provided by these providers. This would be unnecessarily disruptive to these households, and also potentially more expensive if using ‘spot’ purchased accommodation or hotels