Decision details

In the Spending Review in June, the Government announced a fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) 4 committing £950m to deliver a four-year programme nationally (from April 2026). This report will inform Cabinet that DC had been awarded £662,000 of capital grant and £4, 796 of revenue grant from MHLG to acquire 4 properties. Two of these properties were to be used as settled housing for refugees from Afghanistan and the other two to be used as temporary accommodation for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

(a)  That £662,000 capital and £4,796 revenue to be granted to Bournemouth Churches Housing (BCHA), who will act as the delivery vehicle and purchase the 4 properties using these funds and their own funds.

Completion of the purchase of the properties to be finalised by 31st March 2027;

(b)  That a lettings plan be in place with BCHA so Dorset Council can ensure the properties were allocated in accordance with the funding requirements.

Reason for the decision

The Council previously purchased and now owns 30 properties using funding provided through LAHF1 by Government and Dorset Council. While these homes will be used as temporary accommodation when vacant, the project required significant input from the Housing and Assets teams. In addition, as the Council was not a stock‑holding authority, it could only offer non‑secure tenancies.

LAHF4 funding required Afghan refugees to be offered secure tenancies. It was therefore recommended that the properties are provided, owned, and managed by a Registered Provider, specifically BCHA, to ensure secure tenancies could be offered to Afghan families.