Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety.

(a)       That the allocation of £3.13m in the 20/21 capital programme and a further £1.65m in the 21/22 capital programme for the purchase and refurbishment of accommodation to support homeless and rough sleeper households, be approved;

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety and the Section 151 Officer, the ability to purchase 1-bedroom properties for use as temporary accommodation;

(c)        That authority be delegated  to the Corporate Director for Property and Assets, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, the Section 151 Officer, and Corporate Director of Housing the ability to purchase properties for use as hostel accommodation.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety advised that Dorset Council had a statutory duty under the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018 to provide a number of principle duties to those threatened with or who are homeless, including providing emergency and temporary accommodation. 

By increasing the number of properties owned and managed by the Council there would be a reduction of the Council’s use of Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation, a direct revenue saving to the Council and an opportunity to generate income – whilst also providing a better service to the residents who find themselves homeless. Members noted that the report The report asks for a total of £4.78m capital funding over 2 years (£3.58m if all grant funding obtained). This investment would result in an annual revenue saving in

2021/22 of £458k but would also generate (after costs) an annual income of £71k from the new property portfolio. Revenue savings for 22/23 would be £643k as the refurbishment of the hostel would provide additional beds.

Members welcomed the purchase of properties by the Council for the use of temporary accommodation ensuring that the Council could have the right type of accommodation to meet safeguarding needs.

Decision

(a)       That the allocation of £3.13m in the 20/21 capital programme and a further £1.65m in the 21/22 capital programme for the purchase and refurbishment of accommodation to support homeless and rough sleeper households, be approved;

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety and the Section 151 Officer, the ability to purchase 1-bedroom properties for use as temporary accommodation;

(c)        That authority be delegated  to the Corporate Director for Property and Assets, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, the Section 151 Officer, and Corporate Director of Housing the ability to purchase properties for use as hostel accommodation.