Nottingham City Council will lease Highwood House, the council’s main temporary accommodation hostel for homeless families, to Nottingham City Homes Registered Provider Ltd (NCH RP).
The decision, which involves a total capital value of £432,098, will see the lease run for a term of two years, concurrent with NCH RP’s provision of services at Highwood House.
Highwood House, with its 29 self-contained units of accommodation, provides essential care, support, and supervision for resident families, with staff available 24/7.
The decision to lease the property to NCH RP is aimed at accessing Exempt Accommodation Housing Benefit, which is not capped for supported, emergency temporary accommodation. This move is necessary as council-owned accommodation cannot be classed as exempt accommodation.
NCH RP has been providing services and leasing the accommodation at Highwood House since 2018. The new lease contains a termination clause should NCH RP cease to operate the service contract and will be charged at a market value, with rent increasing in year 2 in line with CPI+4%.
The decision was taken considering the financial viability of delivering the required services to vulnerable residents. Other options, such as leasing to another registered provider or providing a license instead of a lease to NCH RP, were considered but ultimately rejected.
The decision has been signed off by Jay Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing, and Mel Barrett, Chief Executive, on 27th and 25th July 2023, respectively.
• Nottinghamshire Pride: All you need to know about this weekend’s event
