Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

This report seeks approval from Cabinet to acquire the freehold portfolio of properties in Barnet from the International Bible Student Association (IBSA) and spend the sum specified in the exempt report on these homes.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced this report which sought approval from Cabinet to acquire the freehold portfolio of properties in Barnet and spend the sum specified in the exempt report on these homes.

The Cabinet Member was delighted that Haringey had the chance to acquire these homes which were mostly of family sized housing. They were good quality, they were for the most part family-sized and they would provide homeless households, or those needing supported housing, with somewhere to live that is safe, stable and well maintained – a place where individuals and families would have a better chance.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that if the acquisition were to be approved, these properties would be leased to the Haringey Community Benefit Society (the CBS) for a period of seven years to provide homes for homeless households or used to deliver supported housing for those with additional support needs.

The Cabinet Member closed by noting the report sought approval from Cabinet to acquire the properties and spend the sum specified in the exempt report on these homes.

Further to considering exempt information at item 24,

RESOLVED

1. To approve the purchase, for the price set out in the exempt part of the report, of the freehold interest in a portfolio of 92 properties from the Seller, for housing purposes and subject to satisfactory Legal and Strategic Property Unit due diligence processes, such as title checks, building condition surveys, servicing records and statutory compliance and agrees that the total sum to be spent on the purchase shall be the amount set out in the exempt part of the report.
2. To delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Director of Finance and the Lead Member for Housing and Estate Renewal, to agree the final terms of the acquisition.
3. To agree that these homes be leased to the CBS for a period of up to seven years unless the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning agrees their retention in Council stock for use as supported housing pursuant to 3.4.
4. To agree that officers investigate the feasibility of using a number of the homes as supported housing and delegates authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning after consultation with the Director of Finance, the Director of Adults and Health, the Lead Member for Housing and the Lead Member for Adults and Health, on presentation of a business case to agree their use as such.

Reasons for decision

This acquisition represents an opportunity for the Council to secure 92 good-quality homes with a high proportion of family sized accommodation. These can be used to provide homeless households with temporary accommodation or long-term settled homes but may also be used for residents with support needs, subject to completion of the appropriate business case.

The portfolio consists of 20 one-bedroom, 64 two-bedroom, 2 three-bedroom and 6 four-bedroom properties. Once acquired the properties will be leased to the CBS and allocated to households under a Nominations Agreement.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114