Issue - meetings

Executive Summary

NNDC has been offered government grant through Round 2 of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) to acquire four homes to meet housing need.

Three homes are to be initially used to meet the needs of resettled Afghan households and one is to provide Temporary Accommodation (TA) for homeless households.

The grant available can cover up to 40% of the capital cost of homes with a further £20k per home for associated costs. This report considers options for delivering these four homes and the associated costs and implications.

Options considered

a)   NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and delivers four homes – match funding the grant largely using existing Capital funding earmarked for Temporary Accommodation

b)   NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and works with a partner Registered Provider to deliver four homes

c)    NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and delivers four homes – match funding from borrowing

d)    NNDC does not take up the offer of Round 2 LAHF

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Housing & People Services

Assistant Director People Services

Housing Options Manager

Estates and Asset Strategy Manager

Flagship Housing Group – Head of Development

Recommendations

1.    NNDC accept the Round 2 LAHF grant

2.    Officers seek to work with Flagship to acquire three of the four homes, and officers seek to identify one LAHF home to acquire for use as TA to be match funded from our existing TA budget

3.    In the likely event that Flagship are unable to find three homes to purchase, that officers seek to identify up to four homes to acquire to be match funded using the existing TA budget and HPG funding

4.    Cabinet give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer / other member of Corporate Leadership Team, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples Services, to agree the specific purchase of up to four properties (within the identified budget limits).

Reasons for recommendations

To seek approval for the Council to accept the LAHF grant and agree the delivery option recommended

Background papers

Cabinet March 2023 – LAHF Round 1 Opportunity

Cabinet June 2023 - Purchase of Temporary Accommodation Unit

Cabinet June 2023 – Outturn Budget report 2022/23

Cabinet November 2022 - Purchase of Temporary Accommodation Unit 

Wards affected

District-wide (potentially)

Cabinet member(s)

Councillor Wendy Fredericks - Portfolio Holder for Housing & Peoples Services

Contact Officer

Nicky Debbage / Graham Connolly, Housing Strategy & Delivery Manager, nicky.debbage@north-norfolk,gov.uk 

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

Meeting Our Local Housing Need

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                  

One of the four homes will be used immediately for Temporary Accommodation for homeless households delivering savings compared to the cost of alternatives such as bed and breakfast. The remaining three homes can be used as Temporary Accommodation in the longer-term.

Council Policies & Strategies

Housing Strategy 2021 – 2025

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 Y

Has the public interest test been applied

NA

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

NA