A ‘unique opportunity’ for the Isle of Wight Council to purchase and renovate housing that will be made affordable for people at risk of rough sleeping will be considered by Cabinet members this week.
At a meeting on Thursday (14th October), councillors will hear that the authority has again been successful in securing national funding to help those facing homelessness on the Island.
Totalling £472,368 from the government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, it is proposed the grant is used to provide 5 units of supported accommodation for local people — ready for occupation by 31st March 2022. It’s not known where these houses or flats will be located.
To secure the money being offered, the Cabinet is being asked to support the council becoming a ‘Registered Provider of Housing’ and an investment partner of Homes England. This will involve the council providing an additional £389,868 in match-funding.
Councillor Ian Stephens, deputy leader and Cabinet member responsible for homelessness and housing needs, said the project presented a ‘unique opportunity’ for the authority. He said:
“Homelessness continues to be a major priority for the council and this funding will enable us to continue this important work.
“This is a unique opportunity for the council. These properties will become long-term, council-owned assets and will provide island residents with an affordable place they can call home.
“The overarching benefits of the project and proposals are multifaceted. In the short term the project will deliver a further reduction in the numbers of rough sleepers and provide us with homes in our control for the first time in many years.
Article continues below this advertisement “In the longer term this provides the council with potential to bid for affordable housing grants as an investment partner of Homes England and Registered Provider of Housing.”
To read the paper in full, visit https://iow.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s5016/Report.pdf.
How does no sound – the council need to make cuts, so that taxpayers can get a break from ever increasing council tax on top of the increasing food and fuel prices.
there are already plenty of services available for those homeless and the council would be better served, simply offering social fund loans. paid back from benefits, so that a homeless person could get the months rent/months deposit on a studio flat. Much cheaper and far more effective and no need to stroke the councillors ego by spending money buying up properties, just to annoy residents, with another collection of deadbeats and junkies all in the same place.
Clearly “isle of wighter” (really?) has no concept of home budgeting. Has it occurred to him/her/it that, having paid the deposit from the State’s overwhelming generosity, the rent has then to be found EVERY month, as well as paying back the original loan?
IW Council has an obligation to provide housing for the homeless; if this is a good opportunity to get grant assistance, they’d be daft not to take it.
As to whether they will do anything useful with it, well, that’s another question.
You haven’t a clue hope springs have you.
the social fund loan gets the homeless person into the flat -they are no longer homeless – the new tenant then submits the claim for universal credit, which includes the housing benefit component – and voila, the rent is then paid every month isn’t it.
the loan is paid back at a nominal amount –
for the record, I have been unemployed, I have claimed housing benefit and plenty of people I know, have obtained social fund loans and paid back a couple of quid a week from benefits.
let me guess, the council would then get two saints to run it – back door way for these leeches to get in and fill a street with s cumbags and junkies against the locals will.
So mr silver spoon if you lost your job couldn’t pay your mortgage and you ended up homeless would this make you a scumbag and a junkie. Don’t tar everyone with the same brush.
stu – have you been to the green street hostel – that is exactly what you find there – selfish, junkie, alco deadbeats and the rest of the dregs of society that no one else wants around, because they have burnt every bridge and made theirselves outcasts.
that is what it will turn into
Hear, hear. Good comments. Fully agree on everything youve said… we seem to be looking after the ones who’ve never contributed, but are always on the take, and to be honest, dont appreciate what they are given.
The council don’t have any money .It’s ours .
Anything that helps homeless people or those about to become homeless, through no fault of their own, but due to lack of ‘affordable’ available property to rent has to be good. I don’t know if some of the commentators above are aware that there are many people both working and living rough, as there is no accommodation available. Many stories have floated the press recently, concerning working families evicted by landlords who want to sell their property. These people have paid their rent on time, but are finding it almost impossible to get another rented property. As such, the council has provided accommodation on the mainland!
People homeless through genuinely no fault of their own, I have every sympathy with. But we all know some people are just not fit to be living anywhere among other people because of their objectionable behaviour and sadly they seem to be often the majority type among the homeless.
What percentage of island homeless come not from the island but are sent over from other councils where our council then get a kick back. Which means they are making a rod for there own back.
Does anyone remember Ryde’s tramp? He was a real character and a very learned man. In his case, it was his choice to live the way he did. He didn’t want any interfering do gooders telling him how he ought to live and he resented any that tried. I used to have the occasional interesting conversation with him.
A talented piano player, came from rich parentage, had layers of rags on, and ripped welly boots, Appley cafe used to give him free tea and kept his own cup for him.
Lived in the woods at Appley and later the shelters.
Likely if around now would be kicked to death or torched with the delightful youngsters filming it all for fun.
the council don’t put they only know how to take
Convert the empty prison into accommodation and have MH services on site, everything under one umbrella, no need for street sleeping or hanging around causing anti social behaviour, ( not saying all cause problems) everyone should have a roof over their head along with support they need,