Decision details

The authority has received an allocation of additional Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) funding of £89,141 for ‘Move on and Prevention’ to be spent or committed by end of March 2024.

The DLUHC RSI advisor has approved our delivery plans which include:

• To provide four additional rough sleeper beds spaces for prevention of rough sleeping at the Cedars Hotel in Stowmarket from 11/11/2023 – 31/03/2024

• The contract value is £32,148

These additional bed spaces will be used to prevent rough sleeping by referring people at high risk of rough sleeping or those that have slept rough for one night, having an additional resource to move people quickly away from the street. We intend to focus on the EU migrant homeless community and use these beds as an additional tool for the rough sleeper navigator to engage this hard-to-reach group.

We have been unable to secure this type of accommodation within the borough and have worked collaboratively with Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council with regard to this provision. We will complete weekly room inspections along with the neighbouring housing team during the period.

The extra provision will support the wider aim of the Rough Sleeper Initiative to end rough sleeping and support the Service Area Plan target of no more than 9 rough sleepers in the November annual count.

Delivering on this project both improves outcomes for rough sleepers themselves and the town, supporting the Corporate Plan priorities:

• A thriving town centre

• Meeting the housing needs of our community

To waive Contract Standing Orders to contract for four additional rough sleeper beds at the Cedars.

Reason:

The funding must be spent or committed by end March 2024.