Decision details

To seek approval to accept revenue funding from the Ministry Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) from the Next Steps Accommodation programme and Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) and to authorise Council borrowing via the Housing Revenue account to fund new supported accommodation for women. This is a key decision as the combined expenditure related to refurbishment of the building and running costs is anticipated to be greater than £500,000.

The Director of Resources and Housing:

a)  Approved the acceptance of the MHCLG grant of £350,000 revenue funding as a result of the Council’s bid to the Next Steps Accommodation programme;

b)  Approved proceeding with the proposed works to provide self-contained accommodation with support as part of the Somewhere Safe to Stay programme through the Council’s internal service provider, Leeds Building Services at an estimated total cost of £475,000.

c)  Approved the necessary funding injection of £125,000 to [the council housing growth programme] enable the scheme to be delivered with the balance being met through HRA borrowing combined with the MHCLG grant funding; and

d)  Noted that a further report will follow to request approval as a subsequent significant operational decision to establish the arrangements with a third party to provide management and support services for the proposed accommodation once completed.