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RECOMMENDED:     That
:

1)   
The Council will enter a Memorandum of Understanding
(Appendix 1) with DLUHC based on the attached prospectus for the
Local Authority Housing Fund Round 2 (appendix 2)
2)   
The Council will accept the total sum of
£868,000 offered to the Council by DLUHC under the Local
Authority Housing Fund to deliver the programme understanding the
match funding requirements as set out in the report and attached
prospectus.
3)   
The Council will commit match funding of up to
£952,000 to deliver the 7 homes.
4)   
The Council will seek to maximise the Flexible
Housing Fund to reduce the overall match funding required from the
Council.
5)   
Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive in
consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing People and
Communities to negotiate and agree the final terms of contract with
DLUHC under which the grant will be accepted.
6)   
The Council will purchase up to 7 properties on the
basis of a subsequent freehold transfer to West Norfolk Housing
Company subject to agreement from West Norfolk Housing
Company.
7)   
Authority is delegated to the Assistant Director
(Regeneration, Housing and Place) and portfolio holder for
Communities to provide grant funding from the Local Authority
Housing Fund to Freebridge Community Housing in the event that they
agree to bring an identified long term empty property back into use
as detailed in the report.
8)   
The Council agrees to the principle of allocating 6
of the properties acquired through the fund to eligible Afghan
households in accordance with the existing Local Lettings Plan. 1
property will be used as temporary accommodation.
 
 
Reason for Decision
The recommendations will ensure
that the opportunity presented by the Local Authority Housing Fund
to deliver affordable housing in the borough will be fully realised
and will help to relieve pressures on the council’s
homelessness services.