Purpose

To accept a grant from the Department of
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) via the Single
Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) and the associated
grant terms and conditions.
 
To approve the acquisition of a minimum of ten
properties from the open market within a defined budget and to
allow officers, following appropriate consultation and due
diligence, to proceed with the acquisitions.

Decision

That:
 
a) The Cabinet Member accepts the Department
for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities capital grant of
£910,000 for the purpose of purchasing a minimum of ten
properties and a revenue grant of £478,615 for dedicated
support workers and associated services;
 
b) Authority for acquisition of the properties
and all associated operational decisions including authority to
award contracts for improvement works and the negotiation of the
lease to a housing provider be delegated to the Corporate Director
Community Wellbeing.

Alternative options considered

Not to proceed with the purchase. The option
is not recommended as the council has a number of statutory duties
to meet in relation to the accommodation of vulnerable groups such
as homelessness and children that the council are responsible for
as a Corporate Parent.