This report requests an exemption to the Fund criteria to allow monies to be granted to Mosscare St Vincent’s (MSV) for the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP) scheme in Flixton. Currently the Fund criteria does not allow for monies to be granted from the Trafford Affordable Housing Fund (TAHF) where another grant has been secured on the same units.

The RSAP scheme has received funding of £780,000 (capital) and £85,000 (revenue) from the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) to provide 12 new build units of accommodation for rough sleepers. However, there are additional costs associated with new planning requirements such as upgrading the boundary fence to a wall with planting on both sides, increasing the footprint of the development to accommodate trees, adding in Juliet balconies and larger windows.

These additional requirements have meant the grant received from DLUHC does not cover the scheme costs.  Therefore, MSV have requested £22,500 from the TAHF to cover these additional costs to enable to scheme to be delivered.

That the Executive Member for Housing and Advice grants the exemption in principle, subject to planning permission and awards a grant of £22,500.

This recommendation will enable the RSAP scheme to progress and provide an extra 12 units of accommodation for homeless people which is much needed in Trafford.

An option would be not to provide an exemption to the Trafford Affordable Housing Fund. This would result in the RSAP scheme potentially not being brought forward, which means the additional 12 units of accommodation for homeless people will not be available.

None.