Purpose

To consider the growing demand for Temporary
Accommodation across the City, and agree an investment plan for
both temporary accommodation and settled housing

Content

The Cabinet considered a report
of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) presenting the
Housing Pressures Action Plan setting out a strategic investment
proposal to reduce long-term financial liabilities, improve housing
outcomes for residents, and ensure the Council remains agile in a
competitive housing market.
 
On consideration of the matter
recommendation 2.2 of the report was amended to read:
 
‘2.2 Agrees that authority is delegated to the Executive
Director (Environment and Place) and the Executive Director
(Finance and Resources), in consultation with the Leader of the
Council, Deputy Leader (Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing)
and the Cabinet Member (Finance, Assets and Public Transport), to
be able to act upon investment
opportunities…’
 
 
Resolved:
 
1. That, in principle, a
capital investment package of £100m over the next 5 financial
years covering both affordable settled housing and short term
suitable temporary accommodation provision, be approved,
including:
 
·    
£10.5m increase to the existing Acquisitions
Programme over the next 5 years for smaller scale purchases of
existing homes (adapted and large family dwellings) and opportunity
sites.
·    
£85m for the establishment of a large-scale
Strategic Acquisitions Programme for new build housing &
Section 106 opportunities.
·    
£4.5m for Temporary Accommodation Development
Project including, where viable, modular and meanwhile use for
sites awaiting development.
 
2. That authority be delegated
to the Executive Director (Environment and Place) and the Executive
Director (Finance and Resources), in consultation with the Leader
of the Council, Deputy Leader (Cabinet Member for Planning and
Housing) and the Cabinet Member (Finance, Assets, and Public
Transport), to be able to act upon investment opportunities that
will directly support in alleviating homelessness pressures via a
Housing Delivery Board. This delegated authority will enable the
Council to act with agility ahead of other local authorities,
ensuring timely interventions that maximise value for money and
accelerate delivery. Membership of the Housing Delivery Board to
also include a representative from the Shadow Cabinet.
 
Reasons for
decision:
 
1. This approach to an
investment programme will allow for rapid decisions to be made and
enable responsiveness to the market which the Council is currently
unable to achieve. Through delegated authority we propose a Housing
Delivery Board with Portfolio Holder membership to guide and agree
individual decisions.
 
2. It is recognised nationally
that most Councils do not have adequate suitable temporary and
settled accommodation stock and the Council is no different. With
long lead in times for increasing affordable social stock, we
require short/medium term consideration of more temporary
accommodation provision that can meet household’s needs and
move us away from costly unsuitable methods. This will include
accommodation to suite larger families, those who require
adaptations and will take guidance on developing best practise
surrounding those with SEN. This will be met with cross funding and
utilisations of other appropriate grants where
applicable.
 
3. Requesting investment into a
mix of temporary accommodation and affordable settled social
housing is very much in line with how other local authorities are
seeking to manage the same issues. Several local authorities have
made recent decisions to increase supply and/or acquire large sites
to help tackle the demands on their housing services.
 
Other Options:
 
None.
 
Note: This is an Executive
Function
Not eligible for
call-in
Cabinet Member: Cllr Anne
Jones