Decision

RESOLVED
 
i)             
To approve the purchase of ten larger family homes for allocation
to families on the Housing Register.

 
ii)            
To approve that the homes purchased are leased to Horsham District
Homes (Holdings) Ltd at a suitable rent.
 
iii)          
To approve the allocation of £5 million section 106 monies to
facilitate the acquisition of the ten family homes; provided that
any such acquisitions are undertaken in consultation with the
Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, and Cabinet Member for
Housing and Communities.
 
RECOMMENDED TO
COUNCIL
 
iv)          
To approve a £5m capital budget to be profiled over 2025/26
and 2026/27.

 
v)           
To approve the receipt of £77,000 of revenue grant funding
from West Sussex County Council towards the employment of an
additional housing management officer. There is a nil net effect on
the 2025/26 budget.
 
REASONS
 
i)             
To purchase and provide more affordable homes for the district
in order to meet the needs of families
currently in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.

 
ii)            
Full Council must approve the associated budgets, and the Cabinet
must approve the acquisition of the properties.
 
iii)          
To avoid the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval for the
purchase by Horsham District Council of each individual property
that would otherwise be required.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS
IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT
 
i)             
The simplest alternative was not to progress with this proposal and
to wait for an increase in the development of affordable homes in
the district. However, the waiting time for new build affordable
homes to be ready for occupation is still considerable. This course
of action does not address the more imminent issue of families who
continue to face waiting several years to be housed in appropriate
accommodation and so was discounted.
 
ii)            
Funding could be used to support Horsham District Homes or a
Registered Provider to build properties. This remains an option,
but it takes some time to move from concept to delivery and so was
discounted. It is considered that this proposal in this report is a
practical use of S106 reserves to ease the pressure on the housing
waiting list.