URL: https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7524

Decision Maker: Corporate Director of Residents and Housing Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To confirm the allocation and distribution of the Household Support Fund Extension, which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Content: To confirm the allocation and distribution of the Household Support Fund Extension, which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. That the Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Resident Support and Culture, approves the proposed allocation of Household Support Fund (HSF) funding as follows:   A.    Reaffirms the decision made on 16 May 2025 relating to HSF funding allocations for community projects:                                                i.     New Horizons                                               ii.     Employment Skills                                             iii.     Debt Advice                                             iv.     Immigration Advice                                              v.     Additional Food Initiatives                                             vi.     Credit Union Support                                            vii.     Well and Warm Support B.    The decision made on 16 May 2025 in relation to food vouchers for residents with children on free school meals confirmed the use of HSF funding for this only until 31 October 2025. Following a review, that the remaining HSF funding is utilised to continue to provide Food Vouchers up to and including the Easter Holidays of 2026. The Cabinet delegated the decision to the Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Resident Support and Culture, together with any subsequent amendments. The decision taken in May 2025 left a portion of HSF funding unallocated, so a decision is now required to allocate remaining funding. The options considered were to either reduce or remove the provision of food vouchers for residents in receipt of free school meals and instead channel funding to support crisis claims made within the Resident Support Fund. However, the recommended decision is to keep the food voucher provision at least up until and including the Easter Holiday 2026 for the following reasons:   i)               Families are already assessed to be on a household income of less than £7,400 ii)              No further application is required iii)            These households struggle during the holidays when there is no school meal provision iv)            The vouchers provided are an efficient and effective way to distribute funds directly to households in most need. None.

Date of Decision: September 23, 2025