The Head of Housing and Property has submitted a report which details the allocation of homelessness prevention funds with the purpose of meeting the objectives of the homelessness strategy.

Officer Recommendations: That the City Executive Board:

1. Allocate the full sum of the funds associated with 'Preventing Homelessness Grant' to the Homelessness budget, the majority of which shall commission services to prevent homelessness.

2. Agree the allocation of the Homelessness Grant Budget for 2015/16 as detailed in paragraph 23.

3. Delegate authority to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Board member for housing and estate Regeneration to allocate the balance of the Preventing Homelessness Funds.

The Head of Housing and Property submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed the allocation of homelessness prevention funds with the purpose of meeting the objectives of the homelessness strategy.

Cllr Seamons, Board member for Housing and Estate Regeneration presented the report. He explained that the report was proposing ring fencing funds for single person homelessness (which is a non-statutory responsibility of the Council) to protect these vulnerable people.

The Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager explained that Oxfordshire County Council (the statutory authority responsible for single person homelessness) was planning to take full responsibility for the funding of pathway and the No Second Night Out (NSNO) hub from 2016/17. This will mean the City Council will no longer be asked to part fund these programmes.

The Board was concerned with the County’s proposal as the County’s housing related support grant was not ring-fenced to address single person homelessness.

Cllr Fooks welcomed the proposed funding for the prevention of eviction of young people. The money is available to keep under 25s in accommodation by paying their rent or arrears when necessary.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1. ALLOCATE the full sum of the funds associated with 'Preventing Homelessness Grant' to the Homelessness budget, the majority of which shall commission services to prevent homelessness.

2. AGREE the allocation of the Homelessness Grant Budget for 2015/16 as detailed in paragraph 23.

3. DELEGATE AUTHORITY to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Board member for Housing and Estate Regeneration to allocate the balance of the Preventing Homelessness Funds.