URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6837

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Capital funding of over £1m and impacts on more than one ward

Content: Capital funding of over £1m and impacts on more than one ward           The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director (regeneration and Economic Development) which provided an update on the purchase of privately owned properties for use as temporary accommodation.               Councillor T Brennan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, reported that the Council had a statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation for qualifying homeless households. In this respect, over the past six years, demand for temporary accommodation had increased considerably and currently there had been 92 households accommodated in temporary accommodation, which included 50 households with children.   Councillor Brennan highlighted that in response to the rising demand, the Council had increased its temporary accommodation provision by purchasing and leasing private residential properties, and this has led to a reduction in the use of hotel provision.  In this respect, the reduction had resulted in an improved experience for households experiencing homelessness crises and a reduction in the cost of providing temporary accommodation.   Councillor Brennan reported that given the success of this approach, it was proposed to continue purchasing suitable private residential properties and also to re-purpose vacant Council-owned assets. Councillor Brennan highlighted that this  approach could be funded through the allocation of £1.4m of affordable housing contributions which the Council had negotiated and secured through Section 106 agreement receipts being allocated to support an increased temporary accommodation provision.   RESOLVED:- That the allocation of up to £1.4m of affordable housing contributions (which the Council has negotiated and secured through Section 106 Agreements with housing developers at Halsnead Garden Village) to fund the purchase of residential properties and/or the refurbishment/re-purposing of existing vacant Council-owned assets for the purpose of providing homeless temporary accommodation be approved.  

Date of Decision: December 4, 2024