Decision details

Purchase of accommodation and refurbishment of 4 & 5 Blackfriars Street to meet strategic housing priorities, as a consequence of the restrictions caused by Covid-19

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To approve the acquisition of eight properties and to undertake the refurbishment of numbers 4 & 5 Blackfriars Street, Hereford.  This will enable the council as part of the Covid-19 emergency response to accommodate those who have a long and/or repeated history of rough sleeping.

 

The eight properties would be self-contained accommodation suitable for homeless clients with disabilities and /or accessibility issues.

 

4 & 5 Blackfriars Street would be used as accommodation for homeless applicants prior to resettlement into sustainable accommodation.

Decision:

That:

(a)        Cabinet accepts the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) capital grant of £420k for the purposes of purchasing up to eight properties

(b)        Approval is given to purchase up to eight properties within a budget of £1,120k and to refurbish 4 & 5 Blackfriars Street within a budget of £500k, to enable the council to protect and accommodate those currently in Covid-19 emergency accommodation from future homelessness.

(c)        Authority to purchase the properties be delegated to the Director for economy and place, following consultation with relevant cabinet members and the Chief Finance Officer.

 

Alternative options considered:

1.          Do nothing. This is not recommended as the council has a statutory duty to house those who are homeless and capital grant funding has been awarded from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to purchase eight properties which, if not spent before 31 March 2021, will have to be returned

2.          We could purchase less than eight properties, however, this is not recommended as funding has been secured from the MHCLG to assist in the purchasing of these properties.

3.          Not approve the refurbishment of 4 & 5 Blackfriars Street and leave the properties empty. This would be in conflict with the council’s County Plan 2020-2024 and the council’s Delivery Pan 2020-2024 to bring empty properties back into use.  In addition to this without investment, these properties could fall into disrepair.

 

Reason Key: Expenditure and strategic nature / impact on communities;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Contact: Tina Wood, Housing development officer Email: Tina.Wood@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 261975.

Publication date: 03/12/2020

Date of decision: 03/12/2020

Accompanying Documents:

  • Purchase of accommodation and refurbishment of 4 & 5 Blackfriars Street to meet strategic housing priorities, as a consequence of the restrictions caused by Covid-19