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RESOLVED: Cabinet;
 
a)   
Approved the proposal to acquire the
property without vacant possession (tenants in-situ) as outlined
within exempt Appendix A based on the red book valuation,
satisfactory due diligence having been undertaken and approval by
the S151 Officer of a fully costed business case using Housing
Revenue Account funding.
b)   
Delegated authority to the Assistant
Director of Assets and Environment in consultation with the S151
Officer, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Portfolio Holder
for Finance to negotiate and acquire the property by way of a
surrender of the long lease including completion of the legal
requirements, and consideration of the land being appropriated from
the general fund to the Housing Revenue Account.
c)    
Delegated authority to the Director of
Communities and Opportunities to undertake a compliant procurement
process to enable essential works to be completed on the property
once in the Council’s ownership at a cost not exceeding that
identified within exempt Appendix A.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
 
1.    
The acquisition of the property will offer the
Council an opportunity to continue the supply of affordable
supported housing for individuals with additional support needs, as
identified in the West Northamptonshire Council Housing
Strategy.
2.    
The recommendation is to acquire the property,
without vacant possession. The rationale for the purchase of the
property is to continue to support existing tenants who have or are
experiencing rough sleeping and to be managed by Northamptonshire
Partnership Homes
3.    
The Council are currently commissioning Midland
Heart for the provision of supported accommodation at the property.
This commissioned service is supporting people who have support
needs and have experienced rough sleeping or are at the risk of
rough sleeping. This service is supporting people out of
homelessness and into more settled housing.
4.    
Several support providers have left the sector,
resulting in a reduction on the number of bedspaces available
across the area. In addition, some providers that are providing
this support are not registered providers, this is impacting on
housing benefit subsidy loss and is threatening the ongoing
viability of the current provision.
5.    
The number of people experiencing rough sleeping had
remained relatively consistent in recent years, however, there has
been a stark change to this, and our statutory monthly rough
sleeping data is showing a growing number of people rough
sleeping.
6.    
The acquisition of the property will provide several
benefits; including:

·      
Continued provision of this accommodation and
bedspaces as supported accommodation for those experiencing or at
risk of rough sleeping and have support needs.

·      
Supported housing not only provides a safe place to
stay, but also the support people needs to recover form
homelessness and is vital to help end / reduce rough
sleeping.

·      
This provision will aim to provide transitional
housing and support that helps residents to move on to more
longer-term supported accommodation and / or move on to more
independent accommodation.

·      
This provision will help provide stability to the
Single Homelessness Pathway and will be a positive continuation, in
addition it will support the wider pathway, which will include new
provision at Broadmead Court (supported accommodation for high
support needs) and move-on accommodation via properties within the
RSAP/NSAP programme.
7.    
The acquisition of the property would provide
positive community impact and help the Council meet its strategic
aims by supporting rough sleepers by providing quality provision of
accommodation and help ensuring long-term stability and support for
vulnerable individuals through the single homeless
pathway.
8.    
This property acquisition via the HRA could also
offer flexibility of future use, should changing needs require a
revised and different strategic approach.
9.    
If WNC choose not to acquire the property or enter a
lease arrangement with Midland Heart, it is anticipated the owners
will explore these options with other providers.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
 
·      
Option 1 – Acquire the property without vacant
possession upon completion
·      
Option 2 - Acquire the property with vacant
possession upon completion;
·      
Option 3 - Enter into a sublease
arrangement;
·      
Option 4 – Not to proceed with the acquisition
or enter into a sublease arrangement