Minutes:
The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing and Health and Well Being presented a report detailing the Council’s proposed use of the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which had been received from the Government, in 2022/23. Cabinet was informed that some of the projects that would receive funding had been provided with financial support by the Council in previous years. However, it was also proposed that relatively new schemes should receive funding, including the Sunrise Project launched in 2021 for a period of two years and the Sanctuary Scheme, which was designed to enable victims of domestic abuse to remain in their homes wherever possible. Officers were thanked for their hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic to address homelessness and on homelessness prevention.
During consideration of this item, reference was made to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Members were informed that the CAB had notified the Council that the local branch of the organisation was due to lose funding in 2022. There was the possibility that additional financial support would be required from the Council to support the CAB and this might need to be taken into account when considering the allocation of the Bromsgrove Homelessness Prevention Grant in 2023/24.
RESOLVED that
1) The following initiatives be approved to receive allocation of funding 2022/23:
Grant Allocation |
2022/23 £ (up to) |
Young Persons Pathway Worker – support to prevent homelessness for under 25’s |
26,000 |
Worcestershire Strategic Housing Partnership Co-ordinator – contribution towards county-wide development and delivery of housing initiatives in partnership with other agencies |
6,300 |
Hopes - Single Person and Childless Couples Homelessness Prevention Service top up |
5,424
|
St Basils Crash Pad – provide a unit of emergency accommodation to young homeless people |
10,909 |
NewStarts - Provide Furniture and Volunteering Opportunities for Ex-Offenders – supports tenancy sustainment and provides future employment opportunities/reduces risk of reoffending |
15,000 |
Fry/Accord Housing Related Support – helping ex-offenders remain housed/seek employment |
23,224 |
St Basils Foyer – provides stable accommodation/support for young people - 14 units – fully occupied during last financial year |
30,000 |
Managing Temporary Accommodation Costs for BDHT |
15,500 |
CCP- outreach and prevention service targeting rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping. |
25,082 |
North Worcestershire Basement Project - Support for young people at risk of homelessness |
40,000 |
bdht – Homelessness Reduction Act New Burdens |
36,975 |
Step Up – Private Tenancy Scheme |
18,200 |
Sunrise Project intensive support (2 year project agreed 2021) |
39,000 |
Sanctuary Scheme for victims of Domestic Abuse |
10,000 |
Citizens Advice – Targeted Debt Intervention |
23,000 |
No First Night Out/No Second Night Out |
£7,280 |
Total committed expenditure |
331,894 |
2) delegated authority be granted to the Head of Community and Housing Services following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing to use any unallocated Grant during the year or make further adjustments as necessary to ensure full utilisation of the Grants for 2022/23 in support of existing or new schemes.