URL: https://democracy.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=701

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Housing & Local Plan

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: 1.1       Cabinet agreed to invest £2,157,000 of capital reserves, generated from commuted sums and right to buy receipts held by the council into the provision of temporary accommodation/rough sleeper housing pathway scheme units on 9 April 2024, subject to an options appraisal. 1.2       The options appraisal has been completed and indicated the most effective way to physically deliver temporary accommodation is to purchase existing built properties and refurbish them utilising some of the capital sums.  1.3       The Cabinet Member for Housing the Local Plan then made the decision to commence?the investment of?£2,157,000 of capital reserves, generated from?commuted sums and right to buy receipts,?into the provision of temporary accommodation across the district, primarily through?the purchase and refurbishment of existing built properties?following the completion of an options appraisal as required by?Cabinet on 9 April 2024,?subject to the cost of acquisition and operating costs being within approved budgets – view decision. Approximately 11 units will be purchased.  1.4       The council’s wholly owned trading company, Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS), is leading on the work to identify and procure accommodation units in line with the options appraisal. Each property procurement requires a Cabinet Member decision.  1.5       This report proposes the procurement of 1 unit of the overall approximately 11 units in line with the decisions made by Cabinet on 9 April 2024. This procurement will take the total number of units procured as part of this project up to 1.  There is a limited supply of temporary/emergency accommodation units in the district. As a result, oftentimes families and individuals are placed in bed and breakfast accommodation with limited facilities outside of the bedroom, making it unsuitable for long-term placements.  2.2        Last year, the council spent approximately £191,000 on temporary accommodation. Delivering approximately 11 new units of temporary accommodation through the council will help to reduce the council’s overall spend.  2.3       The investment will significantly expand the council’s ability to provide quality temporary housing to local people, and follows an in-depth options appraisal involving the council’s housing, finance, procurement, and policy teams, which identified that the most effective approach is to purchase and refurbish existing properties. 2.4       By focusing on purchasing and refurbishing existing properties, the council will be able to deliver much-needed homes in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, in locations where people need them most. 2.5        The council’s wholly owned trading company, Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS), will provide property management support and the tenants will be supported by our housing team. This will ensure a swift turnaround of properties and maximise our ability to provide immediate assistance to those in need. 2.6       The council will be purchasing properties in key locations this winter, including Lichfield City, Burntwood, Fazeley and Armitage with Handsacre, to provide residents with easy access to shops, transport, and local services. There were no other alternative options given

Date of Decision: January 7, 2025