Issue - meetings

Cabinet, at its meeting on 27 June 2024, considered a report on the additional grant funding made available under Local Authority Housing Fund 3 (LAHF 3) to support the provision of housing for the council’s refugee accommodation programme and for accommodation for general homelessness use.

The Cabinet report is attached.

Cabinet resolved to accept the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ grant of £840,500 (indicative Local Authority Housing Fund 3 allocation) to deliver four homes that meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the Local Authority Housing Fund 3 prospectus, and to authorise the deputy chief executive – transformation and operations to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which sets out the understanding between both parties for the use of funding. 

CABINET RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

To add £1.864 million to the approved capital programme, part funded by Local Authority Housing Fund 3 funding of £840,500 to purchase four homes under this scheme. 

To receive the report from the head of finance.

To allow the council to accept additional grant funding which has been made available under the latest round of Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) funding. This will further support the provision of housing for the council’s refugee accommodation programme, building on previous rounds which the council has taken advantage of. 

Recommendations:

(a)      To accept the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ grant of £840,500 (indicative Local Authority Housing Fund 3 allocation) to deliver four homes that meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the Local Authority Housing Fund 3 prospectus, and to authorise the head of finance in consultation with the chief executive or their nominated officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which sets out the understanding between both parties for the use of funding.

(b)      To recommend to Council to add £1.864million to the approved capital programme, part funded by Local Authority Housing Fund 3 funding of £840,500 to purchase four homes under this scheme.

Cabinet received the Local Authority Housing Fund: Round three report, from the head of finance. The report sought agreement from Cabinet to allow the Council to accept additional grant funding which had been made available from the latest round of Local Authority Housing Fund funding.

The Cabinet member for finance and property assets, Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker, presented the report and highlighted that council had participated in both rounds 1 and 2 of the Local Authority Housing Fund scheme. He noted that round 3 required a contribution in addition to the central government grant, and that if Cabinet agreed, the total figure would amount to £1.864m that would be used to purchase four homes.

Members discussed where the funds for the Councils contribution would come from and the Cabinet member indicated that it would be a part of the capital programme, to be approved by full council. 

Cabinet welcomed the additional round and noted that it would allow the council to provide at least one unit of temporary accommodation, as well as other affordable units. Members highlighted that these units would provide significant benefits to the residents of the district, particularly those at risk of homelessness.

Overall, as members were satisfied with the report, they agreed to accept the additional Local Authority Housing Fund funding and recommend that Council approve the additional funding for the capital programme to purchase the homes under the scheme. 

RESOLVED:

(a)      To accept the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ grant of £840,500 (indicative Local Authority Housing Fund 3 allocation) to deliver four homes that meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the Local Authority Housing Fund 3 prospectus, and to authorise the head of finance in consultation with the chief executive or their nominated officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which sets out the understanding between both parties for the use of funding.

(b)      To recommend to Council to add £1.864million to the approved capital programme, part funded by Local Authority Housing Fund 3 funding of £840,500 to purchase four homes under this scheme.