Issue - decisions

That the Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services, in consultation with the then Cabinet Member for Housing and Resident Support:

i)               Approves the proposed allocation of Household Support Fund funding, as follows:

a.    Resident Support Fund Proposals for 2025-26

                                               i.     That food vouchers for residents with children on free school meals continue up to and including 31 October 2025 based on £15 per child per week.

                                              ii.     The allocation of food vouchers will be reviewed in advance of the Christmas Holidays (before 30 September 2025)

                                            iii.     It is proposed that at least £1,565,482 of the grant is allocated to the Council’s Resident Support Fund for residents in crisis to proactively apply for support with food, energy and water, or wider essentials. Existing mechanisms and eligibility criteria will be used to distribute the funds. A further sum may be available, but this is dependent on the decision on continuing food vouchers beyond October half term.

b.    New Horizons Centre

                                               i.     The total 2025-25 expected costs for ‘annual operational costs for New Horizons includes the contract fee for the Community Wellbeing Service with Sufra, the centre manager post, as well as centre maintenance, utilities and security presence. With the centre expanding to a 5-day per week service and services including Families’ Homelessness Service moving in, 2025-26 expected costs are higher as additional security presence is required than initially costed. £400k is the direct cost of the service contract with Sufra.

c.     Employment Skills

                                               i.     It is proposed that £20,000 of fund is allocated to the Grand Union Employment and Skills Hub with London’s Community Kitchen to enhance employment chances for residents.

d.    Debt Advice

                                               i.     It is proposed £95,000 is allocated to support Citizens Advice to support residents with debt advice, and £25,000 to the Sheriff Centre for debt advice.

e.    Immigration Advice

                                               i.     This will continue to be provided by Northwest London Law Centres at a cost of £50,000.

f.      Additional Food Initiatives

                                               i.     It is considered prudent to set aside £10,000 for additional food initiatives and or emergency requirements

g.    Credit Union Support Proposal

                                               i.     £100,000 of the grant will be allocated to the Credit Union to support households with multiple debts with interest free loans, on the basis that they meet the affordability criteria. Since August 2020 to 31 March 2024, 442 households have been supported with £1,513,972 financial support with interest free loans. Of this, £533,400.32 has been repaid in instalments by households.

h.    Well and Warm

                                               i.     The Well and Warm Scheme supports older residents adversely affected by the pressures caused by ongoing high utility charges. The scheme supports vulnerable residents in keeping their homes warm particularly during the winter period. Brent partners with Green Doctors to offer residents a free consultation and advice from energy experts. The cost for this is £136,000.

i.      Future Funding – Establishing if reserve

                                               i.     Notes that the 2024 assumption for the Council’s budget to support this work as agreed by Cabinet on 5 February 2024 for 2025-26 at £1,490,000 is no longer valid. The requirement is reduced following the Household Support Fund award and this budget is set aside, alongside unused funding from 2025-26 as a reserve.