Emergency short term accommodation

Descriptions

Conwy County Borough Council is seeking Expressions of Interests from Landlords and other Organisations who are able and wish to become a Provider on the Council’s Approved Provider’s List to provide suitable and appropriate emergency accommodation for people deemed eligible to receive housing assistance under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002). The provision is accommodation for those people who the Council believes to be homeless and in priority need.In the last financial year the Council provided accommodation to 185 unintentionally homeless households. People become homeless for many different reasons, the most common are relationship breakdown and loss of private rented accommodation. Priority need for accommodation is determined by the law and the most common priority need household types are those with children or who are pregnant, young people and those in poor physical or mental health or those fleeing violence etc . The Local Authority currently houses former prisoners with a local connection who are homeless when they leave custody. However, the requirement to assist in this way is likely to change in the near future.The Council has seen an increase in the number of homeless people over the past few years and it is anticipated that demand will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. In order to meet this growing need, the Council wants to approve accommodation provided by private Providers for emergency use. Accommodation is to be commissioned from Approved Providers on an ad-hoc basis in response to demand. Providers will be able to decline placements and there would be no requirement to keep rooms/apartments vacant following a request from the Council.Emergency accommodation will be used as required pending a full assessment of a households’ circumstances/needs and a decision will be reached regarding the ongoing housing obligations of the Council and until suitable alternatives are available. Placements will generally be for 1 - 33 nights pending assessment and up to approximately 6 weeks while more suitable accommodation is sourced.Support for Providers will be available from the Council’s Housing and Regulatory Services through a Housing Accommodation Officer. They can discuss any issues or concerns Providers may have regarding any placements. Rent will be paid directly to Providers by the Council. Prices will be set on a nightly basis in advance in accordance with prices specified within the Provider’s application. Landlords will be paid weekly on invoice for accommodation provided. The Council is seeking to have a standard nightly rate, however will offer/accept a premium rate where there are specialist facilities including adapted for wheelchair users; or where extra vigilance on the part of the provider is agreed.The following types of accommodation will be required and considered:- Self contained accommodation for single persons, couples, small families and (less commonly needed) for larger families- Accommodation with shared facilitiesAccommodation with resident caretaker/reception or daytime management presence would be preferred.The Provider’s accommodation must meet the statutory minimum set by the Suitability of Accommodation (Wales) Order 2006, and the home hazard safety assessment 2004 Housing Act. The accommodation will need to be furnished.If potential Providers are interested to become an Approved Provider of emergency accommodation or wish to find out further information, please Register and Express an Interest through this website. Further information will be available shortly to download from this site.The closing date for all applications is the 31st January 2014.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=4523.