More cash to buy up homes for homeless in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is getting nearly £1.4 million more to buy up and manage properties to house young people at risk of homelessness.

The council has accepted a government grant of £910,000, which it will match-fund with cash from the NHS-backed Better Care Fund along with so-called section 106 levies on developers.

It will use this to buy “a minimum of ten” properties on the open market, up to a maximum per property of £157,000.

The council also accepted a further revenue grant from the government of £478,615, “for dedicated support workers and associated services”.

The spending will address the gaps in homelessness for vulnerable people aged 18-25 in the county, the council’s decision said, pointing out that it has a duty to house those who are unintentionally homeless.

The properties will serve as “transitional” housing, the council said, “which is a stepping-stone towards independent living and reduces the risk of homelessness and rough sleeping”.

The council is currently acquiring what will be its eighth such property in the county, for what it says is “below the market value” at £148,500, but did not give further details.

An update on the council’s delivery plan published last month said that in addition to the eight already secured, it had made offers on a further six properties.

It aims to buy 15 properties overall in the current financial year, “specifically for young people aged 18-25 identified at risk of homelessness”, its update said.

The council’s rough sleeper outreach team “continually engage with our rough sleepers and actively support them to source accommodation”, it added.

Herefordshire Council is trying to rein in spending on temporary accommodation in the county, having spent over £3 million in the financial year to

April on “Travelodge/ B&B style accommodation” along with nearly £400,000 on private rentals.