Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet, Babergh Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: August 5, 2025

Purpose: To seek approval to convert existing premises to temporary accommodation and acquire additional properties to meet temporary needs.

Content: It was RESOLVED: -   1.1          That Cabinet approved the creation of a portfolio of Temporary Accommodation properties within the General Fund to serve growing need,   1.2          That Cabinet approved the appropriation at market value of the property identified in appendix B of the report from the HRA to the GF for use as Temporary Accommodation, subject to consent from the Secretary of State.   1.3          That Cabinet approved the drawdown of funds within the capital ambitions programme budget to deliver Temporary Accommodation properties.   1.4          Thats delegated authority be given to the Director of Housing and Director of Property, Development & Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Property to create a portfolio of properties through acquisition, conversion, and development in the General Fund for Temporary Accommodation purposes in accordance with the criteria set out at paragraph 2.3 and Appendix A of the report.   1.5          That delegated authority be given to the Director of Housing and Director of Property, Development & Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Property to negotiate, enter into contracts including the appointment of contractors and consultants to enable the creation of a portfolio properties for temporary accommodation purposes.     REASON FOR DECISION   To deliver fit for purpose Temporary Accommodation in an effective and efficient way to meet the growing needs for Temporary Accommodation across the District.   Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:   Option 1: Continued reliance on Bed & Breakfast and commercial hotel accommodation.   This option reflected the current default position. However, it is increasingly untenable due to spiralling costs, with Mid Suffolk spending over £33,547 per month on TA, some of which was not recoverable through Housing Benefit. This model often placed households out of district, disrupted education and employment, and could fail to meet acceptable standards. Continued reliance would result in escalating financial pressure on the General Fund, while delivering poor outcomes for families. Option 2: Utilise existing Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties for TA use.   Some HRA homes had been used as a short-term measure to relieve TA pressures. While this could help mitigate immediate demand and be appropriate in some circumstances, it is not a viable long-term strategy for addressing temporary housing needs Using social rent properties for TA could displace households on the housing register, distort stock management, and create legal and financial complexity by cross-subsidising between accounts. It also undermined the purpose of HRA-held assets and risks breaching housing finance regulations if scaled. Therefore, this option had been discounted as a long-term strategy     Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None