Temporary Accommodation at Paragon House

Paragraph 6 under schedule 5 of the Procurement Act applies - the following conditions are met in relation to the public contract

(a)due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and

There is currently no alternative provider capable of delivering the level of accessible temporary accommodation offered through Paragon House, which has been acquired and will be managed by Housing Action Management. The scheme will provide 26 fully accessible units, together with a further 43 temporary accommodation units, representing a vital resource in supporting the Council to meet its statutory housing duties towards households with accessibility requirements.

Chelmsford currently has the highest number of Local Housing Allowance households in temporary accommodation located outside the district within the East of England. This position is contrary to both the Homelessness Code of Guidance and the requirement to secure suitable accommodation under the Housing Act. Of particular concern is the severe shortage of wheelchair-accessible accommodation for households with critical needs. Despite extensive efforts, the Council has been unable to identify or procure elsewhere comparable provisions, either within the district or in neighbouring areas.

Given the current shortfall in suitable accommodation, the key consideration is not what may become available in the future, but what is available now to meet the Council's immediate statutory obligations. The Council's duty to accommodate eligible homeless households is an immediate one and cannot be deferred pending the future availability of alternative suitable properties. Paragon House therefore represents a unique and essential solution to address an urgent and ongoing housing need.

The accommodation also represents good value for money, with rates that are lower than the average nightly costs currently incurred by the Council for other temporary accommodation placements. Securing a longer-term agreement would therefore provide both service continuity and financial benefits.

The Council currently accommodates approximately 610 households in temporary accommodation. Ongoing pressures within the housing market, combined with a continued shortage of social housing, have resulted in increasing lengths of stay within temporary accommodation. As a result, the number of households requiring temporary accommodation is expected to continue to rise. Demand for accessible temporary accommodation is also likely to increase significantly with this, making the provision at Paragon House strategically important in meeting both current and future housing needs.