The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking authority to procure and enter new contract arrangements from 1 April 2023 for the provision of support for 50 units of ‘Move-On Homes’ at The Nova Project and 57 Caversham Road to relieve and prevent rough sleeping in Reading.  An Equality Impact Assessment was attached to the report at Appendix A.  The value of grant funding for the schemes contained exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and had been provided separately to members of the Committee.

The report noted that the contracts would be funded utilising Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP) grant funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing (DLUHC).  Under DLUHC’s RSAP Round 1 Reading had been awarded three years revenue funding to deliver 50 units of “Move-on Homes” between 2021 and 2024. These units provided an off the streets offer to those rough sleeping, or those who were at risk of rough sleeping having previously and repeatedly been verified. The units had a specific focus on supporting with mental ill-health, substance misuse and preventing re-offending and returns to the streets.  Support to ten “Move-on Homes” at The Nova Project for females with complex needs requiring a 24/7 supportive environment had been delivered under contract with St Mungo’s since 21 December 2020. 40 units of “Move-on Homes” at 57 Caversham Road had been completed in November 2021 and all clients had moved into their self-contained studio with 24/7 on-site staffing presence by January 2022, with support to clients also delivered by St Mungo’s.

The report explained both projects were specifically commissioned to enable a longer period of support with mental ill-health, substance misuse and re-offending than traditional supported accommodation models and that clients could be accommodated for up to 2-3 years before moving on.  Multi-agency work to progress move-on from these units was ongoing with outreach and in-reach support provided by the NHS and Public Health, who commissioned a Health Outreach Liaison Team and Multiple Disadvantage Outreach Team respectively.  These specialist services provided wrap-around health and substance misuse support, aiming to transition clients into core/mainstream support services and independent living.

The report summarised the history of contract arrangements for both sites, which would expire on 31 March 2023, and proposed that an open tender exercise be undertaken and a 12-month contract awarded from 1 April 2023 for a 24/7 staffed environment of accommodation with support at the 50 units of “Move-on Homes” across The Nova Project and 57 Caversham Road.  There was no option to include a contract extension at this stage as the conditions under which RSAP were bid for, and awarded, were for grant to be spent by March 2024.

Resolved –

(1)      That the award of funding from the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP) 2021-24 to deliver 50 units of “Move-on Homes” in 2023/24 comprising 10 units at The Nova Project and 40 units at 57 Caversham Road be noted;

(2)      That the Assistant Director of Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing, Director of Finance and Director of Procurement and Commissioning be authorised to:

(a)      undertake the necessary procurement exercise to adhere to RSAP 2021-24 grant funding conditions and

(b)      enter into a contract with the successful tenderer in respect of services to deliver the “Move-on Homes schemes referred to in (1) above, for 12 months from 1 April 2023.