Purpose

The policy establishes a clear framework for charging households in temporary accommodation, detailing how charges are applied and processed. It introduces a fair charging regime that takes employment status into account and clarifies the responsibility for ineligible charges added to rent accounts.

Additionally, the policy sets out robust suitability assessments for all placements to ensure compliance and affordability, supported by a monitoring framework to track and measure its overall impact.

Decision

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet, AGREED to:

1. 1      Approve the Temporary Accommodation Charging Policy at Appendix 1;
2. 2    Approve the proposal to charge an appropriate level of rent for the Council-leased      blocks at Concord, Sycamore and Windsor (CSW), which are secured on long-term      leases. Rent levels will be set in line with:

·                the Rent Standard Regulations (including relevant exemptions);

·                the Government’s Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing; and

·                the Income-Related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998.

1. 3    Approve the proposal to apply service charges at an appropriate level that reflects the full cost of maintaining and managing the Council-leased blocks at Concord, Sycamore and Windsor (CSW).
2. 4   Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Homes, to determine and implement appropriate rent and service charge levels within the Temporary Accommodation portfolio, where required.
3. 5      Note the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix 2.