Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing.

(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.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Housing presented the report and its recommendations, which Cabinet supported unanimously.

It was proposed by Cllr G Taylor and seconded by Cllr N Ireland

Decision

(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.