Decision

Summary:
The Council refers customers to whom it has a homelessness prevention or relief duty, and who have housing related support needs to different supported housing schemes. One such scheme is located at XXXXXXXXXXXX, where there are a total of four ensuite rooms/flats. The Council leased the properties to A2Dominion South some years ago in exchange for which A2Dominion South house residents to whom the Council has a homelessness duty. Residents pay their housing costs by claiming Housing Benefit and the cost of providing support is paid for by the Council from Homelessness Prevention Grant. As A2Dominion South leases and manage the accommodation it is not possible for another organisation to provide the support.
Note that a criteria now for HPG is that at least 51% of HPG must be spent 51% on prevention and relief and no more than 49% on temporary or emergency accommodation. With homelessness increasing, it is vital to continue to fund initiatives to prevent/relieve homelessness to protect this grant funding stream.

Reasons for the decision

These flats are vital in the Council’s efforts to prevent and relieve homelessness in its borough. They are a key piece in the jigsaw puzzle of managing homelessness and keeping emergency accommodation numbers as low as possible, whilst enabling the best outcome for customers.
The cost of this support delivers Best Value because the provider has another scheme in the vicinity, and is therefore able to provide the support at a rate below market value. The scheme provides value for money overall because without them, the Council would incur the costs for 4 households x 52 weeks of the year in B&B, which is far higher than it would pay for emergency accommodation. At a rate of £55 per night (the cheapest possible rate), the cost of emergency accommodation to the Council would be £20,020 per household compared to a cost of £1,153 per household for support for a year.. It is in the interests of local residents to be able to access supported housing within the borough to rebuild their lives, and aligns with the Corporate Priorities of an inclusive borough, a well run Council and providing decent and affordable housing.
There is budget available for this non key decision with the Housing Options budget, which was approved as part of the overall corporate budget at Full Council on 25/2/25.

Alternative options considered

MUST be completed / actions explained. If there are no alternative options, state 'None
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