A “unique opportunity” for the Isle of Wight Council to purchase and renovate housing which will be made affordable for people at risk of rough sleeping will be considered by Cabinet members next week.
At a meeting next Thursday (14th October), councillors will hear that the authority has again been successful in securing national funding to help those facing homelessness on the Island.
Funding for five units
Totalling £472,368 from the government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, it is proposed the grant is used to provide five units of supported accommodation for local people — ready for occupation by 31st March 2022.
To secure the money being offered, the Cabinet is being asked to support the council becoming a ‘Registered Provider of Housing’ and an investment partner of Homes England.
This will involve the council providing an additional £389,868 in match-funding.
Stephens: Properties will become long-term, council-owned assets
Cllr Ian Stephens, deputy leader and Cabinet member responsible for homelessness and housing needs, said the project presented a “unique opportunity” for the authority.
He said,
“Homelessness continues to be a major priority for the council and this funding will enable us to continue this important work.
“This is a unique opportunity for the council. These properties will become long-term, council-owned assets and will provide Island residents with an affordable place they can call home.
“The overarching benefits of the project and proposals are multifaceted. In the short term the project will deliver a further reduction in the numbers of rough sleepers and provide us with homes in our control for the first time in many years.
“In the longer term this provides the council with potential to bid for affordable housing grants as an investment partner of Homes England and Registered Provider of Housing.”
To read the paper in full, see below.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: Julian Hochgesang under CC BY 2.0
