Purpose

Approve the extension of existing Housing Related Support contracts by a further year to enable longer term underpinning strategies to be developed.

Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Approve exercising the optional one-year extension of the existing Housing Related Support contracts to Amplius Living for Lots 1 and 2 and YMCA Trinity Group for Lot 3, for the period 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028, for a total value of £425,575 for the extension period.
2. Approve the use of the existing Housing Related Support budget to fund the extension period at £425,575 per annum.
3. Delegate authority to the Executive Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Homelessness and Poverty, to complete all actions necessary to enact the contract extension.
4. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place and Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Poverty, to exercise the second extension period between 1 April 2028 and 31 March 2029.

Alternative options considered

Commence procurement immediately – Undertake a competitive procurement process ahead of the strategic review work. This option is not recommended as service specifications may not reflect identified need or strategic priorities and the original procurement included two optional one-year extension periods.

Do Nothing – Allow contracts to expire at the end of March 2027. This would create a significant risk for vulnerable residents, homelessness prevention & relief activities and accommodation pathways. It would also lead to service disruption and increased demand on statutory homelessness services and temporary accommodation.

Exercise the First 12-month extension (Recommended) - Continue existing contractual arrangements whilst the Supported Housing Needs Assessment and Supported Housing Strategy are completed. This provides service stability and allows future commissioning decisions to be informed by robust evidence.