Purpose

This report seeks approval to undertake a
property acquisition programme, to provide temporary accommodation
for homeless household applicants utilising Local Authority Housing
Funding (LAHF). The Local Authority Housing Fund was established to
fund the delivery of homes to be used as temporary accommodation
for homeless households and resettlement homes for refugees. The
funding from the LAHF can be applied to the acquisition of
properties that are available for purchase on the open market in
the borough.

Decision

RESOLVED:
 
A To note that the interim
Executive Director for Housing & Sustainable Development signed
a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in August 2024 to deliver
Round 3 of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), with the sum of
£7,171,473
 
B To approve the revenue budget
of £56,113 from LAHF which will contribute to the acquisition
costs arising from the purchase of the LAHF grant related
properties.
 
C To delegate to the Executive
Director of Housing & Sustainable Development and in
consultation with the Executive Director for Finance and Digital
(Section 151 Officer), authority to acquire properties and
otherwise apply the funding under, and in accordance with, the
conditions of Local Authority Housing Fund.
 
D To note the criteria and
assumptions for the LAHF unit mix, which apply a portfolio approach
to the delivery of the programme and set indicative purchase prices
per property against each bedroom size. These assumptions ensure
the proposals in this report do not provide a General Fund budget
pressure and will be vetted and signed off by the relevant
executive directors, as set out in recommendation C.
 
E Delegate authority to the
Executive Director of Housing & Sustainable Development to
entering into any legal agreements required to facilitate the
acquisitions of the TA properties authorised by recommendation
C.
 
F To note the service will
undertake a procurement exercise to secure managing agents to
manage the properties.
 
G To note the service will
undertake a procurement exercise to secure repair and maintenance
operator.