Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:              That the approach set out  in the report on the allocation of properties delivered via the Local Authority Housing Fund be endorsed.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that properties delivered via the Local Authority Housing Fund to deliver affordable housing in the borough will be allocated in accordance with the criteria of the fund and to those in the greatest housing need in a timely way.

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Cabinet considered a report which provided information on the allocation of properties delivered via the Local Authority Housing Fund, a programme established by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to support local authorities to acquire homes to accommodate households with housing needs who have arrived in the UK via Ukrainian and Afghan resettlement and relocation schemes.

On the 8th February 2023 Cabinet resolved to accept the grant funding offered by DLUHC and agreed to the principles of allocation properties delivered under the fund, to deliver 14 homes for Ukrainian households and 2 larger properties for Afghan households.  It was proposed to Cabinet that a further report on the allocation of the properties would be presented separately.

The purpose of the report was to seek endorsement of the approach set out in the report on the allocation of properties delivered via LAHF and to update the Cabinet on the area as agreed at Cabinet on the 8^th February 2023. The report also provided a brief update in relation to the decision from West Norfolk Housing Company to work with the Council to deliver the properties via the fund and recent announcements from government of additional LAHF funding.

The endorsement of the Environment and Community Panel was noted.

Councillor Kemp endorsed the approach which brought homes to the Borough and provided homes  for refugees without adding pressure to the housing stock.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Sandell expressed the hope that the Cabinet would continue to provide the support for the Ukrainian refugees, any arrangements made to mark their national day, and if the Leader had visited the Welcome Centre.  The Leader confirmed he had previously visited the centre.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Blunt expressed the hope that the homes to be purchased would be completed before March 24.

Councillor Beales commended the report and asked if in the financial modelling there would be much demand for the S106 funding.

The Housing Services Manager confirmed that 7 properties had been purchased to date, and the overall cost of the 16 properties and any draw on S106 funding depended on the market and the properties which were purchased.

RESOLVED:           That the approach set out  in the report on the allocation of properties delivered via Local Authority Housing Fund be endorsed.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that properties delivered via the Local Authority Housing Fund to deliver affordable housing in the borough will be allocated in accordance with the criteria of the fund and to those in the greatest housing need in a timely way.