Purpose

The report requests approval to
enter into a contract with Reloca8 for a period of 24months to
allow the Council to carry out out-of-borough discharge for those
in Temporary Accommodation. The Council carried out a pilot for the
past 3 months with Reloc8 and it was successful and now the aim to
expand the pilot into a 2 year arrangement.
 
Reloc8 have developed a unique
portal which allows the Council to drawdown and reserve properties
out of borough to nominate those faced with homelessness. The
Council will be fulfilling its duty by identifying and providing
affordable homes rented at LHA and ensuring households have more
independence away from the Council.
 

Content

To agree a 42 months contract (this period includes the 24-month
sustainment period, with no new placements being made after 18
months) with Reloc8 in line with the proposal and terms set out in
this report. The overall contract value is expected to be
c£0.900m for the two-year arrangement and will aim to deliver
the opportunity for c110 households.
 

Reasons for the decision

The Council has an objective to
ensure suitable and affordable homes are provided to those faced
with homelessness and that the Council explores all options to find
most suitable accommodation in line with the
regulations.
 
A review of the market has been
carried out and no other supplier is able to provide the exact
service which includes the availability of the Portal
services.
 
To note that the Contract value
is £0.583m however it is expected that with variable costs
such as Top-Up payments, move on and removal costs the total costs
will reach £0.900m over the two years. Any further available
budget will be applied towards more moves.
 

Alternative options considered

There are no other suppliers
that can offer the portal service that
Reloc8 do. This allows the Council to seamlessly accept properties,
hold them and allocate households. Reloc8 also provide support and
resettlement opportunities which includes tenancy sustainment.
Therefore no other procurement route is considered
viable.
 
Not awarding the contract and
ceasing the service would lead to the Council incurring additional
costs and miss out on the opportunity to provide an additional
source of housing.