Issue details

Purchase of property to support vulnerable care leavers

 

 

To approve the purchase of a residential property in Hereford in order to provide supported accommodation for vulnerable people with complex needs.

 

The council faces challenges in finding accommodation for vulnerable people with complex needs. Social housing providers have to prioritise commercial considerations and are often unwilling to take the risk of letting homes to this user group. The council therefore needs to find alternative accommodation solutions which are economic and sustainable. The property proposed for purchase will be used to accommodate five very vulnerable care leavers to improve outcomes and help prevent specialist high cost placements.

 

It is proposed to purchase a residential property in Hereford City Centre from the open market and make appropriate arrangements for housing management and the usage of rental income. It is ideally located and there is a time limited opportunity in which to acquire it.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 05/12/2018

This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.

Reason for urgency:
The decision could not be made previously as it depends upon the policy decision relating to purchase of property which cabinet is asked to make on 13 December 2018. The decision cannot be made later as it is in response to a particular purchase opportunity on the open market which is time limited. The vendor has agreed to hold the property until early January 2019 but no longer to allow the council to complete its governance processes.

Decision due: 4 January 2019 by Cabinet member contracts and assets

Lead member: Cabinet member contracts and assets

Lead director: Director of Economy and Place (Historic)

Department: Economy and Place (Historic)

Contact: Suzanne Garlick, Estates management officer commercial Email: sgarlick@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 260689.

Consultees

There has been general consultation and engagement with care leavers and looked after young people since 2016 in relation to accommodation and support needs and how those are best met. responses have highlighted the need for accommodation with appropriate levels of support for those with complex needs.

Details of any declarations of interest: None

Decisions

Documents

Background papers