Purpose

Leeds City Council has been awarded a grant of £6,419,976.00 from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Homes England for The Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme until 31st March 2027.

The programme will be targeted at two groups in particular: those with the longest histories of rough sleeping or the most complex needs, and vulnerable young people (age 18-25) at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping to provide targeted support and accommodation as part of the national rough sleeping agenda.

The grant will cover capital costs amounting to £2,140,000.00 and revenue expenditure amounting to £4,279,976.00 for a variety of interventions that include providing accommodation with intensive and specialist support. This will assist the city to deliver its ambitions to reduce the numbers of people who are rough sleeping and to deliver positive outcomes.

Approval is being sought to:

·  accept the grant allocation from DLUHC and Homes England

·  award funding to a number of organisations to enhance accommodation and support to people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping and/ or homelessness in Leeds.

Decision

The Director of Communities, Housing and Environment gave approval to  

a.  Accept a total of £2,265,000 capital grant funding for the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2027 towards the purchase and refurbishment of properties, comprising £2,040,000 for acquisition of up to 25 self-contained one-bedroom properties and up to £225,000 Section 31 funding towards refurbishment of an existing property. 

b.  Accept £4,279,976 revenue grant funding for the period 1st April 2024 to 30th June 2028 towards support delivery costs.  

c.  Approve recommendations within Confidential Appendix 1 regarding HRA Council Housing Growth capital programme and details of the capital grand funding breakdown  

d.  It is noted that subsequent decisions will be made as a consequence of this report to award grant funding to third sector organisations within the city for delivery of accommodation and support services.