Purpose

As a result of the housing
crisis facing Ealing where an increasing number of households are
approaching the Council for housing there has been an increasing
use of nightly paid accommodation including bed and breakfast and
commercial hotels.  Due to the unplanned
nature of the demand the bookings into such accommodation are based
on immediate need and therefore subject to any fluctuations in the
pricing of these types of accommodation which in itself is linked to wider factors, For example,
concerts, school and public holiday times or other events
etc.
 
The purpose of this report is
to obtain authority for a one-year lease for the provision of 73
units of dedicated use hotel accommodation with facilities
(including laundry and shared kitchens) at a fixed rate to give the
Council surety of the budget, and reduce the costs currently being
incurred in relation to spot purchased B&B and commercial hotel
rooms.
 
The accommodation includes
larger rooms (which are suitable for families) and function spaces
within the hotel that can be used to provide drop-in services for
those who are accommodated there.
 
Securing this accommodation
will provide the Council with certainty of supply and cost for the
units concerned - which is significantly lower than the commercial
hotel rates it is currently achieving. It will also provide
additional ongoing capacity that it can use to support accommodated
households’ move on from short term accommodation into either
the private sector or other accommodation.