Purpose

This report sets out the proposed extension and variation to the contract of the Camden Respite Rooms (CRR) provided by Single Homeless Project (SHP). The current contract which is fully funded through a grant from the Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC) is due to expire on 31 March 2026 with no option to extend further. The service is mainly funded via the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation grant, provided by MOPAC and the current contract is due to expire on 31 March 2026. On the 15 December 2025, MOPAC confirmed their intention to extend funding for a further one year for 2026-27. This follows a one-year extension from MOPAC for 2025-26. Therefore, officers are seeking to extend the existing contract with SHP for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, and to use a small amount (£10,980) from the Homelessness and Domestic Abuse Grant allocation to enhance the staffing model and provide higher quality support to residents for 2026-27, at a total cost of £661,141.

The extension will allow SHP to continue to provide a safe refuge for a very vulnerable cohort of women and enables them to make positive decisions about their own future. In providing these choices, the scheme also reduces harmful street activity such as drug-related anti-social behaviour. The scheme was designed to enable local authorities to commission short stay respite beds and specialist support in partnership with organisations specialising in homelessness and in issues associated with violence against women and girls.

In accordance with Contract Standing Order E2.1 the Executive Director Homes and Communities can authorise the extension and variation. However it requires a waiver for them to be implemented as required under CSO E2.2 and approved in line with F3. Officer agreement of the waiver will be sought separately via the online waiver process, before a report is submitted to the Cabinet Member as a Single Member Decision for approval.

Decision

THAT the Executive Director Homes and Communities:
 

1. Notes the performance of the contract
2. Approves the extension and variation of the contract with Single Homeless Project for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 for the sum of £661,141