The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to  seek project approval and delegations to enable capital spend, under the Next Steps Accommodation Programme, using grant received from Government for the purpose of acquiring additional Council housing for the purpose of reducing rough sleeping.  To delegate to officers to enter into property purchase and other necessary agreements for the purpose of delivery affordable housing through this programme.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Give project approval to the proposals, to accept grant and enter into spend for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford, specifically under the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) for the purpose of assisting rough sleepers through more affordable accommodation using a ‘Housing First’ accommodation model;

2.    Note that the budget for further NSAP grant and spend in 2021/22 will be requested in the draft budget 2021/22 report to Cabinet in December 2020, and if agreed, in the budget 2021/22 report to Cabinet and Council in February 2021;

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing and Housing the Homeless; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into property purchase and other necessary agreements for the purpose of delivery affordable housing through the NSAP programme, within identified budgets, for the work referenced in this report;

4.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and Asset Management, and Affordable Housing and Housing the Homeless, to approve any agreements over £500,000 for affordable housing, within this project approval and budget envelope; and

5.    Recommend to Council that it approves a revision to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget in 2020/21 of £1,195,750 for the initial purchase of 5 properties, to be funded by capital grant from MHCLG/ Homes England of £150,000; by Oxfordshire Housing and Growth (OGD) Deal funding of £275,000; and HRA Council borrowing of up to £770,750.

The Head of Housing Services had submitted a report to  seek project approval and delegations to enable capital spend, under the Next Steps Accommodation Programme, using grant received from Government for the purpose of acquiring additional Council housing for the purpose of reducing rough sleeping.  To delegate to officers to enter into property purchase and other necessary agreements for the purpose of delivery affordable housing through this programme.

Cllr Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, introduced the report which sought to bring forward “Housing First” properties, giving people the opportunity to take up places in social rented properties in parallel with the wrap around support necessary to help them sustain those tenancies. This was an approach with a proven track record in places as far afield as New York and Helsinki. While there was already a number of Housing First properties in the City, this report heralded a significant increase. Officers had already identified a number of people who would benefit from the scheme who had not been able to benefit from the traditional housing pathway. Overall it was hoped to purchase 50 such properties.

It was agreed that the element of wrap around support would be critical to the success of this approach and would need to be provided on a multi-agency basis; this would be the subject of a future Cabinet report.  

The Chair noted that there had been discussions at a Leaders’ level with neighbouring authorities and health partners in recognition of the need to work collectively to address these challenges.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Give project approval to the proposals, to accept grant and enter into spend for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford, specifically under the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) for the purpose of assisting rough sleepers through more affordable accommodation using a ‘Housing First’ accommodation model;

2.    Note that the budget for further NSAP grant and spend in 2021/22 will be requested in the draft budget 2021/22 report to Cabinet in December 2020, and if agreed, in the budget 2021/22 report to Cabinet and Council in February 2021;

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into property purchase and other necessary agreements for the purpose of delivery affordable housing through the NSAP programme, within identified budgets, for the work referenced in this report;

4.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and Asset Management, and Affordable Housing, to approve any agreements over £500,000 for affordable housing, within this project approval and budget envelope; and

5.    Recommend to Council that it approves a revision to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget in 2020/21 of £1,195,750 for the initial purchase of 5 properties, to be funded by capital grant from MHCLG/ Homes England of £150,000; by Oxfordshire Housing and Growth (OGD) Deal funding of £275,000; and HRA Council borrowing of up to £770,750.