Decision Maker: Executive Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 23, 2025

Purpose: Homelessness legislation in England aims to prevent and relieve homelessness for people who are eligible for assistance.  The legislation requires local authorities to act at earlier stages, and to provide services to all eligible applicants.   The recommendations included the urgent need to refresh and then consult on a suite of Policy documents, strategies and action plans before their formal adoption by the Council.  These documents would provide the cornerstone of the council’s improvement drive in this critical area of housing and social policy.   To support this work, in December the Government confirmed a ring-fenced grant of £2.277m, of which £1.971m will come directly to the Council, that would be allocated and utilised to resource the new homelessness prevention initiatives that would need to be delivered to respond to the Governments stated ambition to reduce all forms of homelessness.   It should also be noted that work on the delivery of a high quality and effective advice service had been taking place over the last nine months to ensure the service met the needs of the communities it services and seeks opportunities for improvement.

Content: RESOLVED That Executive Cabinet: (i)         Agree to the Director of Place to establish a Homelessness Reduction Board, that will oversee the adopted recommendations of the independent review, including the adoption of the preparation of the new 5 Year Homelessness Strategy, and tenancy Strategy subject to wide ranging stakeholder and public consultation. (ii)        Endorse the principles of entering into a common housing allocation scheme with Registered Provider Partners and adopting the Choice Based Letting model for social housing in Tameside. (iii)       Note that acceptance of the MHCLG Grant funding of £1.971m is to be approved by Executive Cabinet.  This funding will be to deliver the homelessness prevention initiatives set out in section 4.8.  and to be overseen and monitored by the Homelessness Reduction Board. (iv)       The Director of Place, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members and the Director of Resources, be allowed to balance priorities and adjust spending between the different programmes of work, within the overall budget, to ensure effective spending of the grant and efficient delivery of the programme