Agenda item

The Housing Development & Enabling Manager presented a report on the Homelessness Prevention Grant and Domestic Abuse Grant Allocation for 2025/26, and in doing so informed Members that, the report sought Members approval to award the MHCLG Homelessness Prevention Grant and Domestic Abuse New Burdens Grant and the Council’s own Homelessness Grant to specific schemes as recommended.

Additionally, it further sought to delegate authority to the Assistant Director Community and Housing Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, to allocate any underspend of the grant during 225/26 on schemes to prevent homelessness and to assist those who became homeless.

Members’ attention was also drawn to the financial implications, as detailed in the report, in that in addition to the annual Homelessness Grant £112,000, the Council was expecting to be awarded by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHCLG), Homelessness Prevention Grant £260,432 and £35,298 Domestic Abuse New Burdens funding. The report sets out how the Council intended to utilise this funding to create a package of support and services to prevent homelessness and support those who became homeless. 

Paragraph 3.5 in the report highlighted how the monies would be allocated, however, Members were informed that CCP service had been funded across Bromsgrove and Redditch since 2017/18 and had provided a good service.  However, this service was no longer providing value for money.  Therefore, as detailed in paragraph 3.8 in the report, MAGGS service would now be providing this service, as they were more cost effective.

The Homelessness Prevention Grant and Domestic Abuse Grant supported the Council’s strategic priority of Housing.

Furthermore, the Homelessness Grant and Homelessness Prevention Grant would benefit customers by offering household’s more options to prevent their homelessness, support them to remain in their own homes or help the Council to manage and support households in Temporary Accommodation.

Members’ attention was drawn to risk management and that if the recommended schemes were not approved there was a risk that more households who were threatened with homelessness, or who were in housing need, would have limited alternative options. There was also the risk that they might have to make a homeless approach, and this could consequently lead to the following negative outcomes:-

· Increased B&B costs with 80% having to be picked up by the local authority.

· Increased rough sleeping in the District.

· Impacts on physical and mental health, educational achievement, ability to

   work and similar through increased homelessness.

Councillor S. A. Webb took the opportunity to express her sincere thanks to the Housing Development & Enabling Manager and team for all their hard work, in dividing the funds to worthy agencies and support workers, and the funds for St. Basil’s, which was a vital service for Bromsgrove.

The Housing Development & Enabling Manager responded to a number of questions from Members with regards to the following:-

·       The location of St. Basils and St. Basils Crash pad.

·       The revenue funding for an additional 4 static temporary accommodation units, which were used to help eliminate the use of unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation for families.

·       Spend to Save Top Up.

RESOLVED that 

1.1   the following initiatives be approved to receive an allocation of funding 2025/26;

and

1.2   delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director 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 2025/26 in support of existing or new schemes.