Temporary Accommodation Proposal

Temporary Accommodation Proposal - Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Executive summary The council is looking to partner with an organisation to meet some of its temporary accommodation requirements for single persons with a priority housing need. Background Local Authorities have a legal duty to provide temporary accommodation to certain categories of homeless people under the Housing Act 1996. This duty arises when a household is deemed to be homeless, eligible for assistance and in priority need. The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 imposed further requirements on LAs regarding the provision of TA, including an extended prevention duty from 28 to 56 days. Since the introduction of the HRA (2017) alongside other factors such as the pandemic and continued effects from the cost-of-living crisis to many households, the council has seen a sustained an increased demand on homelessness services and on the subsequent provision of temporary accommodation. To support the council to meets its legal duty to homelessness customers, and to enhance its capacity and expertise in addressing the needs of priority need homelessness customers, an opportunity to partner with an organisation is proposed. We are happy to work with private companies or VCSE's. The services to be provided are wide ranging and include accommodation, drop-in services, and crisis intervention. Services are designed to enable customers to move away from homelessness permanently through the delivery of effective supportive and wellbeing interventions. The Proposal An organisation will acquire a property within Hinckley and collaborate with the Council to provide homeless accommodation and support services and provide at least 18 units of accommodation for exclusive referral to this facility from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for homeless priority need customers. The contract and subsequent specification would be in relation to the provision and management of an accommodations scheme, consisting of at least 18 bed spaces located in the town of Hinckley. Persons referred would be those where the council has reason to believe there is priority need. The contract terms will also permit the council to refer homelessness customers, outside of this cohort, in exceptional circumstances such as when the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been actioned. If bed spaces are not fully utilised the council will permit referrals from other Local Authority housing authorities homelessness teams. Commissioned services The provision of an 18-beds supported housing scheme for single homeless persons with a local connection to Hinckley and Bosworth, or by exception other Leicestershire district areas. The accommodation must meet and maintain all minimum required Housing Health and Safety Regulation standards. Basic furnishings will be provided by the successful organisation, including bed linen. Furniture and furnishings supplied in all let accommodation must comply with The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The accommodation and support should include the following: 24/7 staff presence A minimum of 4 hours support per resident each week. A personalised support and action plan for each customer which further includes: • Regular one to one support sessions • Access to health and wellbeing specialised services • Assistance with finances, such as budgeting, debts, applying for benefits/income maximisation and banking skills, • Assistance with access to employment and skills • Assistance to access specialist support services such as in relation to physical health, mental health, social care, substance misuse. • Where appropriate, support to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour • Assistance to access wider community services • Assistance in finding future housing, including support with pre-tenancy work to establish skills for independent living. • Assistance to access longer-term housing • Assistance with moving into and the initial set up of longer-term housing, such as setting up utility accounts, obtaining household essentials e.g., furnishings and white goods • Access to the Housing Matters service • Support regarding applying to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's housing register/ and to other housing authorities, e.g., obtaining evidence of suitability The accommodation and support services must meet the needs of homeless applicants who are likely to have vulnerabilities that include but are not limited to: • Physical health concerns • Mental health concerns • Learning difficulties • Substance misuse • History of offending • Victim of domestic abuse • Care leavers • Former members of the armed forces The council is looking to enter into a service level contract for 3 years. The approximate value of the contract is £160,000.00