Powys council to consider Home Office asylum seeker deal
Powys County Council is to consider a proposal from the Home Office which would see it get a boost to its housing budget in return for supporting asylum seekers.
In a meeting of the cabinet next week, councillors will consider a pilot scheme being proposed by the Home Office which could increase support for the county's housing budget from Government funds.
The paper recommends the cabinet puts forward a non-binding 'expression of interest' in the scheme on behalf of Powys County Council along with Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire, to participate in the Home Office Asylum Dispersal Pilot.
The plan would see the council buying or building new homes backed by Government money, then leasing them to the Home Office for 10 years before they return to the council's own estate.
The Home Office would 'provide capital funding to Local Authorities to increase accommodation supply (of various types) in the medium-term (next 2-5 years)'.
This would be through the 'purchase and renovation, or construction of new homes, including where practical on Local Authority owned land'.
The Council would then 'lease the properties, which it would own, to the Home Office at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for a 10-year term', with Powys County Council 'regaining control of the properties after this when Home Office demand should be reducing following the implementation of wider initiatives.'
It is thought this model 'will support a net increase' in the Powys County Council's own housing portfolio 'as well as add to the net availability of homes in each area where this model is taken forward'.
The paper adds that 'should any new development of homes follow it is anticipated such projects would be funded by the Home Office and not incur costs to the Council but would ultimately lead to an increase in the Council's housing portfolio.'
It is thought the plan would relieve one of the large financial pressures on Powys County Council which, the report says, has an estimated a budget gap of more than £60m over the next five years.
it would cut the need for high-cost temporary accommodation currently being used for people on the social housing wait list.
The boost in housing stock would also allow 'for quicker permanent housing to be offered to those in need of a home' and 'increase council tax revenue through a net increase in the number of homes in the county.'
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The council would also have more of a say where people would be housed with the paper adding the council would be 'in a better position to shape the future design of asylum dispersal, especially in rural areas, as an alternative to having to comply with Home Office directives which may not be so sensitive to local need'.
The paper adds that: 'The provision of accommodation and support for asylum seekers and refugees is a complex matter, which to be undertaken equitably and safely benefits from understanding and empathy across communities and neighbourhoods.'
It goes on to stress that 'the Council, both officers and members, as an accountable public service, has a role to play in helping dispel rumours and misinformation about such matters and encourage a greater understanding within our communities'.
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