URL: https://horsham.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=744

Decision Maker: Cabinet, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   i)              To approve the purchase of ten larger family homes for allocation to families on the Housing Register.   ii)             To approve that the homes purchased are leased to Horsham District Homes (Holdings) Ltd at a suitable rent.   iii)           To approve the allocation of £5 million section 106 monies to facilitate the acquisition of the ten family homes; provided that any such acquisitions are undertaken in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities.   RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL   iv)           To approve a £5m capital budget to be profiled over 2025/26 and 2026/27.   v)            To approve the receipt of £77,000 of revenue grant funding from West Sussex County Council towards the employment of an additional housing management officer. There is a nil net effect on the 2025/26 budget.   REASONS   i)              To purchase and provide more affordable homes for the district in order to meet the needs of families currently in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.   ii)             Full Council must approve the associated budgets, and the Cabinet must approve the acquisition of the properties.   iii)           To avoid the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval for the purchase by Horsham District Council of each individual property that would otherwise be required.     ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT   i)              The simplest alternative was not to progress with this proposal and to wait for an increase in the development of affordable homes in the district. However, the waiting time for new build affordable homes to be ready for occupation is still considerable. This course of action does not address the more imminent issue of families who continue to face waiting several years to be housed in appropriate accommodation and so was discounted.   ii)             Funding could be used to support Horsham District Homes or a Registered Provider to build properties. This remains an option, but it takes some time to move from concept to delivery and so was discounted. It is considered that this proposal in this report is a practical use of S106 reserves to ease the pressure on the housing waiting list.

Date of Decision: June 25, 2025