Issue - meetings

This report concerns the need to secure emergency temporary accommodation in Brent, to house homeless households (families and single homeless people) and requests approval to invite tenders in respect of securing this emergency temporary accommodation.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)      To approve inviting tenders for 200 self-contained rooms, (with bathroom, toilet and kitchen facilities) in Brent, to use as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless households on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report.

(2)     To approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report.

(3)     To delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform to award the contract for the provision of 200 self-contained rooms, in Brent to use as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless households for a term of 18 Months (with a 12 month break clause).

Councillor Southwood, Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, introduced a report outlining the approach to securing emergency temporary accommodation in Brent to house homeless households (families and single homeless people) and requesting approval to invite tenders in respect of securing this emergency temporary accommodation, as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89.

Members noted the efforts made to support and accommodate homeless households and rough sleepers during the pandemic, including their move into more settled accommodation. There remained a number of single homeless people and families with children who were currently accommodated in emergency temporary accommodation, as appropriate and suitable accommodation was secured. The Council was therefore seeking to procure 200 self-contained rooms in Brent which would provide settled accommodation whilst supporting people to self-isolate and provide additional protection for people who might be particularly vulnerable if exposed to Covid-19 through sharing facilities. The term of the contract would be 18 months, with a 12-month break clause, to coincide with the Council’s own temporary emergency accommodation scheme becoming available at Knowles House.

Members were keen to recognised the efforts made to support homeless households during the current pandemic and Cabinet  RESOLVEDto:

(1)     Approve inviting tenders for 200 self-contained rooms, (with bathroom, toilet and kitchen facilities) in Brent, to use as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless households on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report.

(2)     Approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report.

(3)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform to award the contract for the provision of 200 self-contained rooms, in Brent to use as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless household for a term of 18 months (with a 12-month break clause).