To approve the Empty Property and Development Capital Budget allocated to Strategic Housing. 

The grant funding will be made available to enable housing solutions to be found to meet the identified needs of vulnerable households and to provide grant assistance to property owners to bring their empty property back into

That:

(a)   the Empty Property and Development Capital Budget of £1.8m is approved

(b)   Authorisation to expend this budget and make grant awards be delegated to the Director for Economy & Place in accordance with the priorities listed in table 1, following consultation with relevant cabinet members and the Chief Finance Officer

(c)   Authorisation to expend this budget on council led schemes be delegated to the Director for Economy & Place in accordance with the priorities listed in table 1, following consultation with relevant cabinet members and the Chief Finance Officer; and 

(d)   Authority to be delegated to the Director for Economy & Place to amend the allocation of the budget between the identified priority needs in table 1 to best meet housing needs within the overall budget allocation, subject to consultation with the cabinet member and S151 Officer.

1.           Do nothing. This is not recommended as the council has a statutory duty to house those who are homeless.

2.           Not approve the grant, this would be in conflict with the council’s County Plan 2020 – 2024 and the Corporate Delivery Plan 2020- 2022 to bring empty properties back in to use and increase the numbers of affordable accommodation.

3.           Utilise the grant to support the delivery of 2500 council owned properties, however, this will not meet the identified needs of immediate vulnerable individuals who require a solution to either their exiting property or require a housing solution immediately.