The Executive Director of Housing has submitted a report to approve the Homeless Prevention grant allocations for 21/22.

 Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the allocation of Homelessness Prevention funds to commission homelessness services in 2021/22 as outlined in paragraphs 23 to 30 and in Appendix 2 of the report;

2.    Delegate to the Interim Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, the discretion to revise the intended programme within the overall budget if required; and

3.    Approve the request for £15,000 of new expenditure from the 2020/21 allocation, outlined in paragraph 24.

The Executive Director of Housing had submitted a reportto approve the allocations of Homeless Prevention Funds  for 2021/22.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing introduced the annual report which mainly recommended  continuation of  existing commissioning arrangements and the current pool arrangements with the County Council and neighbouring districts.

The “Everyone in” programme had been very successful, resulting, among other things, in a further successive reduction in the annual November street count.  All those still on the street had been offered accommodation. It was proposed to commission a  further 41 beds in 2021-22 with the use of “Next Steps” funding.

The Chair said this was an important area of work and commended those involved for the success to date while noting the need, also, to take the next steps to find forever homes for those who need them.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approve the allocation of Homelessness Prevention funds to commission homelessness services in 2021/22 as outlined in paragraphs 23 to 30 and in Appendix 2 of the report;

2.    Delegate to the Interim Director of Housing in consultation with the Cabinetr Member for Affordable Housing, the discretion to revise the intended programme within the overall budget if required; and

3.    Approve the request for £15,000 of new expenditure from the 2020/21 allocation, outlined in paragraph 24.