Purpose

Cabinet
Lead Delegated Decision taken pursuant to Part Two, Section D
paragraph 20. ‘The Cabinet (Executive) Functions
 

Decision

1.               
THE DECISION:
 
To spend
the funding on
 
·      
Rent Arrears £126,632.50 – This option
allows us to reach many in need and we have statistics from the
Housing providers of those in need of assistance with arrears. It
will prevent homelessness for over 50 tenants that would then
require us to house them at a large cost to the Council. It will
support others to move to a more affordable and sustainable
tenancy.
·      
Bulk food purchase and the hygiene boxes
£20,000 – This will reach across the whole Borough and
will reach some of those vulnerable people that may otherwise be
missed as not on other benefits but are in need of
support.
 
         
 

2.               
REASONS FOR DECISION:
 
The rent
arrears option allows for the Council to prevent the homelessness
of a potential 50 residents that would then present homeless to the
Council and need more funding and support. It will enable more
residents to move to a more sustainable accommodation for them
giving them the ability to remain housed and in a more affordable
property.
 
 

Alternative options considered

Food vouchers were considered but the amount of
funding that each eligible individual would potentially receive was
minimal and not have as great an impact as the options
chosen 
 
White good were
considered, however the administration of this is difficult and
there was no understanding of the need for
this in the Borough.