To seek delegated approval to acquire and develop sites to meet our critical housing need across Herefordshire, enabling a quick response as opportunities arise, subject to the completion of a due diligence business case. In July 2024 full council approved an outline business case (appendix 1) to add £5m to the capital programme to enable the council to develop the critical housing provision we need in the county. The council faces an increasing demand for social housing provision, there is a lack of local provision to meet this need, as such people are being placed in temporary accommodation which isn’t fit for purpose and has significant additional costs.

That:

a) The Corporate Director for Economy and Environment or the Corporate Director of

Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and

Growth and the Director for Finance, to be given delegated authority to draw down and

up to £5 million (capital) of the Acquisition Fund for Housing Provision allocation, and

b) make all required operational decisions to acquire and develop sites to meet our critical social and affordable housing need

1. The council could choose not to bring forward the Acquisition Fund for Housing Provision, however this would mean there continues to be a critical social housing gap, with local people who need support either not able to access the accommodation they need or placed in temporary accommodation which has a high cost and may not be fit for purpose. This is not recommended.

 2. The council could choose to bring forward individual projects for consideration rather than establishing a delegated fund. To date the council has pursued this approach often losing out on key sites given the timescales to be able to pursue and acquire buildings as they become available. Establishing a delegated fund will allow the council to respond quickly as sites become available, subject to the full business case being in place. This is not recommended.