Over £1 million spent to house the homeless in Bracknell

At a recent meeting of Bracknell Forest Council’s executive committee, members agreed to spend £1,177,200 to buy six one bedroom homes to temporarily house the homeless and rough sleepers in the area.

Now, the council’s staff are on the look out for the one bed properties that will be used to house these vulnerable people.

It is likely that the six places that council will acquire will be flats.

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A director at Bracknell Forest Council said acquisition of the one-bed properties would reduce rough sleepers reliance on emergency housing.

Sarah Gee, the council’s assistant director of early help and communities, said: “Officers will start to look at opportunities to acquire suitable one-bedroom properties to reduce stays in emergency housing for single people and couples accepted as being homeless.

“Homelessness can lead to or exacerbate a range of mental and physical health issues.

“These properties will provide local people facing homelessness with affordable, safe and secure accommodation, together with support to settle in and sustain their tenancy.

“We anticipate being able to fund six properties in the future, which are likely to be flats.”

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Of the £1.17 million spend, £727,200 will come from borrowing, and £450,000 will be spent from unallocated developer funding from S106 agreements.

The council has said the borrowed sums will be paid for by net rental income.

The policy to acquire the temporary housing was approved by the council’s executive committee on Tuesday, November 16.

The decision was made in private session.

Bracknell Forest Council has procedures to follow if someone is at risk of becoming or eventually becomes homeless in procedures required by central Government.

To try and prevent homelessness, housing authorities are required to follow a ‘prevention duty’ which involves the housing authority working with the at risk person for  56 days to help prevent them from becoming homelessness.

If Bracknell Forest Council is unable to assist someone to find a home during the prevention duty period, that person can find help under the ‘relief duty’.

The relief duty also lasts for 56 days.

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During that time, council staff will attempt to get the person into some form of accommodation for at least a six month period.

However, the person may be placed in emergency accommodation or a bed and breakfast, which could be located outside of Bracknell Forest.

Those who are at risk of becoming homeless are urged to fill in an online form accessed from the Bracknell Forest Council website, or by calling 01344 352010.