Decision

The Assistant Director
– Housing has decided to directly award a new contract
commencing on 1st March 2026 and expiring on 28th February 2027 for
homeless supported housing to Birkenhead Forum Housing Association
Limited with a contract value of £148,868.

Reasons for the decision

Supported Homeless
Accommodation Services assist people to develop the skills they
need to live independently and forms a crucial pathway for people,
preventing homelessness and promoting independence. It
significantly reduces levels of repeat homelessness and tenancy
failure, thereby generating financial savings across several budget
streams.
 
Birkenhead Forum
Housing Association Limited (Forum Housing) is the incumbent
supplier of a Direct Access Supported Housing service for homeless
people aged 18-24 and has held this contract since 2023 when it was
originally procured through a competitive tender exercise.
 
The contract was let
on a 1+1+1-year basis and all remaining options to extend have been
taken.
 
During 2025, the
statutory 5-year review of homelessness within the borough took
place. This process explores the likely future demand for homeless
accommodation services. The review identified that there is a
cohort of homeless people that present with additional complex
issues, including unresolved mental health problems and social care
needs for whom the current level of service provision may not be
suitable.
 
Informed by the
findings of this review, the Council’s Homelessness and Rough
Sleeping Strategy 2025/30, endorsed by 
the Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee on
16 December 2025, commits to establishing a joint working group
across Housing, Adult Social Care and Public Health departments to
explore the feasibility of co-commissioning a homeless supported
housing service for people with high levels of health and/or care
needs.
 
Given this, it has
been determined appropriate to award Forum Housing a new 12-month
contract in respect of its ‘Bridge’ Scheme to ensure
continuation of service to vulnerable, homeless people while the
Council explores the potential for co-commissioning homeless
accommodation services with other departments.
 
The direct award
contract, which is the subject matter of this decision, will begin
on the 1st of March 2026 and is due to expire on
28th February 2027. The value of the contract for this
period is £148, 868 which is in-line with current contract
value and which will be met through the Supported Housing Programme
budget.

 
The direct award of
this contract has been sanctioned by the Head of Procurement as an
exception to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules as set
out in the Council’s constitution at Part 4, Section 6
Contract Procedure Rules sections 12.4.1 b) a waiver of the rules
would be in the interests of the Council, be lawful, and provide
value for money.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option
was to have allowed the previous contract to naturally expire and
not recommission. This was discounted as this would leave the
council without a key contributing resource to meet its obligations
under Housing Law.