Decision

It is requested that the Joint Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Environment and the Joint Strategic Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) approve in principle:
(i) To approve the acceptance of new burdens grant funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
(ii) To agree to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (link to memorandum of understanding with MHCLG which describes the agreed working relationship between MHCLG and the Council regarding the administration and expenditure the grant funding.
(iii) That Spend of Supported Housing grant monies is delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Environment and joint Assistant Director of Finance
(iv) Agreeing to participate in a collaborative commissioning approach to appoint consultants to undertake a Surrey wide supported housing needs assessment and supported housing strategy in line with MHCLG timescales

Reasons for the decision

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 introduced a new statutory duty for local authorities to formulate and publish a Local Supported Housing Strategy. The strategy requires collaboration with partners to understand the local landscape of supported housing, including supply, unmet need and future demand, and to develop a strategy which sets out the direction of travel to meet identified need.
The Government guidance states that ‘Local authorities are encouraged to develop strategies at a strategic or combined authority level – either in preparation for transitioning to single-tier authorities under Local Government Reorganisation plans, or to collaborate with neighbouring authorities to pool and allocate resources more effectively.’
A Supported Housing Strategy is required for publication by 31st March 2027. Additionally, a full needs assessment is required on which to evidence the strategy. The needs assessment must be carried out in line with the methodology set out in MHCLG Supported Housing; National Statement of Expectations

Alternative options considered

NONE