Purpose

The authority has received an allocation of
additional Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) funding of £89,141
for ‘Move on and Prevention’ to be spent or committed
by end of March 2024.
 
The DLUHC RSI advisor has approved our
delivery plans which include:
• To provide four additional rough
sleeper beds spaces for prevention of rough sleeping at the Cedars
Hotel in Stowmarket from 11/11/2023 – 31/03/2024
• The contract value is £32,148
 
These additional bed spaces will be used to
prevent rough sleeping by referring people at high risk of rough
sleeping or those that have slept rough for one night, having an
additional resource to move people quickly away from the street. We
intend to focus on the EU migrant homeless community and use these
beds as an additional tool for the rough sleeper navigator to
engage this hard-to-reach group.
 
We have been unable to secure this type of
accommodation within the borough and have worked collaboratively
with Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council
with regard to this provision. We will complete weekly room
inspections along with the neighbouring housing team during the
period.
 
The extra provision will support the wider aim
of the Rough Sleeper Initiative to end rough sleeping and support
the Service Area Plan target of no more than 9 rough sleepers in
the November annual count.
 
Delivering on this project both improves
outcomes for rough sleepers themselves and the town, supporting the
Corporate Plan priorities:
• A thriving town centre
• Meeting the housing needs of our
community

Decision

To waive Contract Standing Orders to contract
for four additional rough sleeper beds at the Cedars.
 
Reason:
The funding must be spent or committed by end
March 2024.