Purpose

To discuss Housing Acquisitions and Development programme.

Decision

That cabinet recommends to Full Council that:

1. 1. A second phase to the current property acquisition programme (of total capital value of a maximum of £29,175,484), to acquire and develop circa 134 homes to alleviate pressure on privately procured temporary accommodation use.
   
   2. A revenue budget of £206,775, externally funded from the Levelling Up Partnership and the Local Authority Housing Fund, is to be established to build our capacity and expertise for housing management and development.
   
   3. A revenue budget of £1,876,434 externally funded from the Homes England Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme is established to provide funding for staff for this programme’s housing management and tenancy support up until 2027/28 for all of the acquired homes.
   
   4. An HBC capital budget of a maximum of £6,337,484 is established to match the external funding of £22,838,000, to meet the cost of the acquisitions and development and enable delivery of the grant programmes.
   
   5. That any revenue costs incurred for managing the acquired and developed properties are met by the Temporary Accommodation budget and offset by the rental income from the acquired and developed homes.
   
   6. That the Council owned site at Land to the Rear of 419-447 Bexhill Road is built out by the Council as per the planning permission for 16 Affordable Homes, which will require the site to be kept in ownership and not disposed of as per previous decision.
   
   7. That delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing, and the Chief Finance Officer, to implement the Phase 2 acquisitions and development programme, including entering into agreements on external grant programmes (to receive and give grants) and third-party contracts to enable delivery.
   
   8. That the cross-party Housing Taskforce continues to monitor the programme outcomes.