Purpose

The Mayor and Cabinet are asked to approve:

• The council’s revised Homelessness Accommodation
Placement Policy

In addition, permission is sought from the Mayor and Cabinet,
should any further amendments be required as a result of
legislation or case law, to delegate approval of subsequent
amendments to the document to the council’s Corporate
Director of Housing and Regeneration.

The council’s revised Homelessness Accommodation Placement
Policy clearly sets out the council’s approach as to how
officers will use available housing stock to discharge the
council’s statutory homelessness duties and responsibilities.
The policy will ensure that the council follows current legislation
and provides a reference point for Housing Options staff to make
their decisions.

Content

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency, as provided
in the report submitted.
 
DECISION
 
1.   
Approves the council’s revised Homelessness Accommodation
Placement Policy (Appendix A to the report) and new Homelessness
Accommodation Procurement Strategy (Appendix B to the report).
 
2.   
Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and
Regeneration should any further amendments be required because of
new legislation or case law in consultation with the Mayor and Lead
Member.
 
3.   
Approve the two pilot schemes, (1) Cost of Living Grant Scheme and
(2) Find Your Own PRS Accommodation Scheme, and to register both on
the council’s grants register.
 
4.   
Delegate authority to officers to administer and issue grants to
residents under the Cost of Living and Find Your Own PRS
Accommodation Grant schemes.
 
5.   
Delegate authority to the Director of Housing to extend the pilots
or make them permanent prevention initiatives, subject to available
finances and in consultation with the Mayor and Lead member.