Agenda item

Appendices 1, 2, 3 & 7 are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description contained in paragraphs 14, 16 and 21 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED: that

1.            a consultation process on the proposed policy changes outlined in paragraphs 34, 39 and 40 of the report, including the consideration of intentionality in making homeless decisions, the removal of areas of choice for homeless applicants on the Common Housing Waiting List and offering private rented accommodation outside the city, in neighbouring local authority areas be undertaken.

2.            final approval on implementing the changes under recommendation (i) above be delegated to the Corporate Director People and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member, Housing and Communities, following a full impact assessment and consultation with stakeholders.

3.            in principle the acquisition of the property identified in Appendix 1and the direct award of a new contract for the meanwhile modular delivery of temporary accommodation across the sites identified in Appendix 2 be noted and approved.

4.            final approval of the acquisition of properties and direct award of the contract to Wates set out in recommendation (iii) above and any ancillary matters relating to it be delegated to the Corporate Director, People & Communities in consultation with the S.151 Officer, Legal Services and the Cabinet members for Housing & Communities and Finance, Modernisation and Performance subject to:

·         Approval of appropriate grant funding being secured from Welsh Government,

·         Agreement of Head of Terms for the proposed lease arrangements with Welsh Government and Cardiff & Vale Health Board for the sites identified in Appendix 2 and in relation to the property purchase identified in Appendix 1.

·         Confirmation of a suitable financial viability assessment for each of the sites.

·         Confirmation that the decision does not result in commitments outside budget framework constraints.

Appendices 1, 2, 3 & 7 are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description contained in paragraphs 14, 16 and 21 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Cabinet received a report regarding the Housing Emergency in Cardiff, including the unprecedented pressures this is placing on homelessness services, as well as the steps already being taken to address these pressures. It was highlighted that record numbers of individuals and families are seeking help from homelessness services, putting unprecedented pressure on temporary accommodation.

The report proposed that, in future: 

1. An ‘intentionality homeless’ decision is made where there is clear evidence that an applicant has deliberately made themselves homeless.
2. Offers of private rented accommodation are made outside the Cardiff area, in neighboring local authority areas, where appropriate.
3. Permanent offers of social housing are made anywhere in the city, removing areas of choice for homeless applicants on the Common Housing Waiting List.

The report also proposed a strategic approach to tackling the pressures on Cardiff’s housing emergency, including:

• In the short-term, large-scale property purchase.
• In the Medium-term: the continuation of the meanwhile use of sites with the delivery of modular homes through the Cardiff Living Programme.
• In the long-term, the continuation of the permanent new build programmes (Cardiff Living, the additional build programme, and the Second Partnership) to deliver new, permanent council homes at scale.

It was highlighted that the proposed policy changes will be subject to a consultation process.

A confidential and public letter from the Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee was circulated.

RESOLVED: that

1.               a consultation process on the proposed policy changes outlined in paragraphs 34, 39 and 40 of the report, including the consideration of intentionality in making homeless decisions, the removal of areas of choice for homeless applicants on the Common Housing Waiting List and offering private rented accommodation outside the city, in neighbouring local authority areas be undertaken.

2.               final approval on implementing the changes under recommendation (i) above be delegated to the Corporate Director People and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member, Housing and Communities, following a full impact assessment and consultation with stakeholders.

3.               in principle the acquisition of the property identified in Appendix 1and the direct award of a new contract for the meanwhile modular delivery of temporary accommodation across the sites identified in Appendix 2 be noted and approved.

4.               final approval of the acquisition of properties and direct award of the contract to Wates set out in recommendation (iii) above and any ancillary matters relating to it be delegated to the Corporate Director, People & Communities in consultation with the S.151 Officer, Legal Services and the Cabinet members for Housing & Communities and Finance, Modernisation and Performance subject to:

·        Approval of appropriate grant funding being secured from Welsh Government,

·        Agreement of Head of Terms for the proposed lease arrangements with Welsh Government and Cardiff & Vale Health Board for the sites identified in Appendix 2 and in relation to the property purchase identified in Appendix 1.

·        Confirmation of a suitable financial viability assessment for each of the sites.

·        Confirmation that the decision does not result in commitments outside budget framework constraints.