Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

     i.        The report provided details of POD homes for single homeless people to be gifted from Hill Partnership.  This project is proposed to be delivered as part of a wider compliment of Housing First provision.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Delegate authority to the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing to approve use of Council land as sites for PODs on an individual basis based on the criteria set out in this report.

    ii.        Approved the Budget of £140,000 to aid the delivery of PODs programme.

  iii.        Delegate authority to the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor to agree the final approach in which the PODS are let, owned and managed, which is expected to be through a third party charitable organisation.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Housing Services Manager.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Welcomed the scheme but questioned the size of the units that did not meet space standards.

    ii.        Asked if an approach could be made to the provider of the PODs for larger internal space standards.

  iii.        Expressed concerns regarding integration with existing communities and community safety.

  iv.        Suggested that those offered POD type accommodation might feel they are receiving an inferior option to other housing applicants.

   v.        Questioned why the sites proposed for the initial units were all in the North of the City.

  vi.        Raised concerns regarding on going support and progression option to more settled accommodation.

The Head of the Housing Development Agency said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        The units were of a standard size and were being offered to a range of providers. They were factory built and needed to be easily transportable on a lorry.
Requesting bespoke options was unlikely to be successful.

    ii.        Proposed sites would be determined by availability.

  iii.        To date there was no feedback on the progress of a similar scheme managed and delivered by Allia.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.