Agenda item

The Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager presented a report focusing on the Council’s Homelessness Prevention Grant funding for 2023/24.

The Council had been awarded a total of £325,375 in Homelessness Prevention Grant by the Government for the 2023/24 financial year.  In addition, there had been a £35,000 underspend in the fund in the 2022/23 financial year which would be available to use the following year.  The funding was ring fenced to support initiatives designed to prevent homelessness.  In considering the content of the report, Members were asked to note that the Council had a statutory duty under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), to assist people threatened with homelessness as well as additional duties relating to preventing homelessness and rough sleeping.

The report outlined the various different local schemes that officers were proposing should be supported using funding from the Homelessness Prevention Grant in 2023/24.  The proposed schemes included initiatives delivered by partner organisations in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) which would help many residents including vulnerable groups at particular risk of becoming homeless, such as people leaving prison and young people.  There was a risk that if the Council did not support these schemes, the authority might need to cover increasing costs for the provision of temporary accommodation in Bed and Breakfast establishments.

Following the presentation of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement commented that he welcomed the Homelessness Prevention Grant funding and the positive impact that use of this funding could have on tackling homelessness in the Borough.  In particular, he highlighted the work to help vulnerable groups at greater risk of becoming homeless and the excellent work that various VCS organisations were already delivering in the local community to address this issue.

During consideration of this item, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement proposed an alteration to the wording of the second recommendation detailed in the report.  This proposed that, in respect of the delegation to the Head of Community and Housing Services to use any unallocated grant funding during the year and to make further adjustments where appropriate, the delegation should apply following consultation with both the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement as well as the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Regulatory Services.  This proposal was made on the basis of the importance of this funding to the local community.  The alteration was agreed by Members.

RESOLVED that

1)          the following initiatives be approved to receive allocation of funding 2023/24:

2)          delegated authority be granted to the Head of Community and Housing Services following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement and the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Regulatory Services to use any unallocated Grant during the year or make further adjustments as necessary to ensure full utilisation of the Grants for 2023/24 in support of existing or new schemes.