Decision details

(i)  To approve the proposal to enter into a lease for this property to use it for homeless households for a 3 year duration subject to the following conditions:

a)  A property inspection has been carried out by SCC and compliance information will need to requested and reviewed accordingly.

b)  The Valuation and Assets team will be instructed to review the proposed terms of the lease agreed to date and will liaise with the property owner as required.

c)  Once proposed terms have been agreed The Valuation and Asset Team will instruct legal services to review any documentation required.

d)  Clarification is sought in relation to insurance of the building.

e)  Following consultation that Cabinet approves delegated powers to the Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity following consultation with the Executive Director for Enabling Services to finalise the terms of the deal for the lease.

f)  That Cabinet approved delegated powers to the Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity to carry out any further functions or activities needed to conclude this arrangement.

Southampton City Council (SCC) has a duty under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to secure temporary accommodation for homeless households in certain circumstances, for example, whilst homelessness enquiries are undertaken or until suitable accommodation can be found under the main housing duty.

The report advises Cabinet of the proposals to lease a property made up of 24 self contained units of accommodation for use as emergency accommodation for a 3 year period.  The site would provide 16 studio flats for use as emergency nightly paid accommodation and 8 studio flats for use as temporary accommodation.  The proposal aims to meet the current demand for emergency and temporary accommodation.

Option 1 – Do Nothing

If we do nothing then our spend on emergency accommodation will continue to increase and could exceed that of previous years and not provider value for money.