Decision details

The Council has been successful in a recent bid submission to the MHCLG for £168,000 funding to increase access to new private rented sector tenancies for ex-offenders who are, or are risk of becoming homeless with the aim of reducing rough sleeping and reoffending.

The funding will enable the recruitment of a Private Rented Sector Liaison officer to pro-actively seek accommodation with the private rented sector for this often excluded client group. In addition, two Tenancy Sustainment Officers will be recruited to provide intensive support to enable individuals to stabilise and settle within accommodation. The funding will also allow for a tenancy support financial package to be made available in order to offer personalised interventions for individuals such as rent in advance, furniture packs etc.

Approval to accept £168,000 of funding (£142,500 in 2021/22 and £25,500 in 2022/23) from MHCLG to provide accommodation for ex-offenders who are homeless or at risk of homelessness/rough sleeping.

To not accept the funding (rejected) - there would be a reputational risk of rejecting funding for which the Council was successful in bidding for. Without the funding it would not be possible to recruit the additional resource or make personalised interventions possible in order to open up access to the private rented sector for this often excluded client group and, as such, a negative impact on homelessness and rough sleeping numbers.