Purpose

To seek
Cabinet Member approval for the acceptance and use of the Rough
Sleeper Initiative 2025/26 ring-fenced grant funding from
MHCLG.

Decision

Decision(s):
 

(1)

the acceptance of
£415,174 Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant 2025/26
ring-fenced funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities &
Local Government (MHCLG), be approved as follows:
 

·      
£374,407 – Rough Sleeping Prevention and
Recovery Grant

·      
£40,767 – Rough Sleeper Accommodation
Programme
 
 

(2)

in consultation with Cabinet Member for
Corporate Services and the Section 151 Officer - a supplementary
revenue estimate of £415,174 in 2025/26 be approved which
will be fully funded by the Rough Sleeper Initiative funding.
Future years allocations will be included within the
Council’s budget as part of the annual budget setting
process.
 

(3)

officers be authorised to
pursue contract waivers to existing service contracts in order for
the services outlined in the report to be delivered.
 

(4)

Rough Sleeping Prevention and
Recovery Grant 2025/26 funding offer letters be sent as
follows:
 

·      
Crash Bed Workers – Sefton Supported Housing
Group

·      
Hospital In-Reach Worker – Sefton Supported
Housing Group

·      
Housing Options Team Officer – Sefton Housing
Options

·      
Resettlement Workers – Sefton Supported
Housing Group
 

(5)

Rough Sleeping Accommodation
Programme 2025/26 funding be sent directly to Provider via Homes
England:
 

·      
Riverside Housing

 
 
Reason(s) for the
Decision(s):
 
Sefton received confirmation in
December 2024 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local
Government (MHCLG) of the funding for Homelessness & Rough
Sleeping Grant in 2025/26.
 
For rough sleeping grants,
MHCLG have changed how they have previously awarded funding, moving
away from extensive bidding processes and to a direct award for
2025/26.They have also consolidated what were formerly the Rough
Sleeping Initiative, and the Accommodation for Ex Offenders grants
into a single 2025/26 Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery
Grant.
 
Alternative Options
Considered and Rejected
 
The Council could withhold accepting this
grant funding, but this would disadvantage the Authority of its
ability to prevent and reduce rough sleeping.