Decision details

(1)        That the Government’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant (required to be ring fenced for use on homelessness services), already received by the Council in the sum of £277,000 in 2017/2018 and £313,000 to be received in 2018/2019 be used initially as follows: 

            (a)        to continue working with Genesis Housing Association in order to     provide private rented accommodation to homeless applicants to prevent     homelessness, with a budget of £60,000 in both 2017/18 and 2018/19 to    fund the cost of the Association’s Management Fees;

            (b)        to meet the Council’s own housing related support costs at the young             parents scheme Railway Meadow, Ongar with a budget of £29,000 in both 2017/18 and 2018/19; and

            (c)        to fund homelessness initiatives already agreed by the Cabinet at its             meeting on 2 February 2017 (Minute 130 refers) (other than the ‘Invest to    Save’            funding) in the sum of £43,500 in both 2017/18 and 2018/19 resulting          in a saving to the General Fund;

(2)        That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet later in the municipal year for consideration to be given:

            (a)        for the use of the balance of the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant        of approximately £131,000 in 2017/18 & £167,000 in 2018/19; and

            (b)        include options for the use of any additional grant received from the             Government in order to provide financial support to help meet with new duties             under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.