Purpose

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and necessary to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.

Decision

RESOLVED:

1. 1   To approve an acquisition of 319 temporary accommodation units from the existing temporary accommodation budgets, as set out in Section 11.2 and exempt appendix 1
2. 2   To approve an acquisition to provide 58 temporary accommodation units funded from the existing temporary accommodation budgets, as set out in Section 11.3 and exempt appendix 2.
3. 3   To approve entering into a 10-year (+1 day) lease for the 71-unit single-person portfolio as set out in section 11.4 and exempt appendices 3 and 4.
4. 4   To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the temporary accommodation acquisitions.
5. 5   To authorise the Director of Legal, Democratic Electoral Services to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to effect the proposals contained in this report and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation as required.
6. 6   To note the Quarter 1 Capital Monitoring for the year ending 31 July 2026 in section 12.
7. 7   The expenditure plans and associated resources to be carried from 2025/26 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 1 and summarised below was approved:

Current Directorate

Carry Forward Budget to 26/27

£'000

Non Housing

123,424

Housing

64,802

Total

188,226

1. 8   The re-profiling of the budgets as set out in Appendix 1 and Summarised below was approved:

Current Directorate

Re-Profiling 26/27

Re-Profiling

27/28

Re-Profiling

28/29

£'000

£'000

£'000

Non Housing

(110,011)

110,011

0

Housing

(178,495)

170,675

7,820

Total

(288,507)

280,686

7,820

1. 9   The capital adjustments of the budgets as set out in Appendix 1 be noted and summarised below was noted:

Current Directorate

Capital

Adjustments

£'000

Non Housing

(421)

Housing

0

Total

(421)

REASONS FOR DECISION

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered as set out in this report.

Proposed acquisition/lease of three distinct initiatives will provide 448 temporary accommodation units (Section 11). The Council’s Benefits and Homeless Prevention Service is facing a shortage in the supply of

Council-owned and / or leased accommodation for use as emergency / temporary accommodation, especially within the Borough. This has resulted in the increased use of expensive nightly-paid annex accommodation, plus the increasing use of out-of-borough accommodation. These acquisitions will provide high-quality, stable, self-contained temporary accommodation offering a significantly better and safer living environment for homeless households.

There is a significant need to increase the provision of temporary accommodation for Hackney’s residents facing homelessness and ensuring we deliver on our duty of care to these residents.

By acquiring or leasing these properties, the Council will secure 448 accommodation units to fulfil its statutory obligation to house homeless families. Additionally, these acquisitions will help lower overall expenditure and shield the Council from potential price hikes associated with nightly paid temporary accommodation. Crucially, we are ensuring that these are of a decent quality.