The Deputy Chief Executive – City and Citizen Services has submitted a report to Cabinet to request the approval of the commencement of a re-procurement exercise for a support service to enable the Housing First service in Oxford to continue after 31st March 2026.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Approve the commencement of a re-procurement exercise for a Housing First support service; 

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on completion of the procurement exercise and subject to funding, to award contracts in relation to Housing First support provision.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approve the commencement of a re-procurement exercise for a Housing First support service; 

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on completion of the procurement exercise and subject to funding, to award contracts in relation to Housing First support provision.

The Deputy Chief Executive – City and Citizen Services had submitted a report to Cabinet to request the approval of the commencement of a re-procurement exercise for a support service to enable the Housing First service in Oxford to continue after 31st March 2026.

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report, firstly by emphasising Housing First as a vital strategy in reducing homelessness in the city. She noted that the model has been successfully applied internationally, and that in Oxford, more than 50 individuals have already benefited from Housing first tenancies. She explained that unlike traditional approaches where accommodation and support are provided together in shared or supported settings, Housing First offers individuals a permanent home of their own, with personalised support provided separately. This meant that as residents stabilise and move forward with their lives, the level of support is gradually reduced enabling long-term independence.

She stated that the Council currently works with three providers: Beam Up, A2 Dominion, and St Mungo’s in order to deliver support. Contracts with two of the providers are approaching renewal and are dependent on future government funding.

Ossi Mosely, Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager, stressed the importance of Housing first in providing stable homes for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, many of whom have experienced repeated homelessness and rough sleeping. She explained the intention to begin a procurement process in advance so that contracts can be awarded promptly once government funding is secured.

Richard Wood, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Manager, advised that funding announcement is expected around Christmas time. With only three months remaining on the existing contracts, early reprocurement is intended to ensure continuity of service once confirmation of money is received.

Councillor Turner suggested that, in light of recent reshuffling of responsibilities amongst ministers, it would be beneficial to revisit previous work on wider homelessness funding challenges. He noted that Members of Parliament representing similar areas have observed the effects of certain policy changes, and reviewing this work could provide more preferable outcome. Councillor Brown endorsed the point made by Councillor Turner, emphasising the importance of lobbying the government to secure funding and continue this very important work of supporting people experiencing homelessness. She offered her thanks to the Housing Officers and Councillor Smith for leading on the Housing First programme and stated that she was proud there was such provision in the city

Cabinet resolved to:

1. Approve the commencement of a re-procurement exercise for a Housing First support service; 
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on completion of the procurement exercise and subject to funding, to award contracts in relation to Housing First support provision.