Decision

That:

1. It be noted that Bromley Council’s allocation for the Household Support Fund (HSF) is £1,867,882.58.
2. The drawdown of this amount from the 2024/25 Central Contingency to the Operational Housing revenue budget be approved.
3. The full utilisation of this ringfenced grant, in 2024/25, as detailed in paragraph 3.14 of the report be approved.
4. It be agreed that any final or additional changes are delegated the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Renewal, Recreation & Housing and Resources, Commissioning & Contracts Management.

Reasons for the decision

On 26 March 2024, the Government announced that the Household Support Fund (HSF) will be extended from 01 April 2024 to 30 September 2024. £421 million has been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need to help with significantly rising living costs.

The objective of The Fund is to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in most need with the cost of essentials. The Fund is intended to support a wide range of low-income households and is not limited to those in receipt of benefits.

The Fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in need, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger families, single-person households, and those struggling with one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events.

The grounds for urgency are that the grant runs from beginning of April 2024 for 6 months and approval is required to be able to mobilise and get funds utilised in order to meet the deadlines.