West Midlands Accommodation Gap (WMAG)

Accommodation services in the West Midlands region, across dispersed locations, suitable for people on probation (both in the community and prison leavers) who would otherwise be homeless. Accommodation to POP is fundamental to an individual's rehabilitation and to lowering the risk of reoffending; decreasing the harm posed to the public. Accommodation provision provides security and stability which, in turn, allows POP to seek work more effectively which consequently decreases the likelihood of offending. It is also a core government ambition to eradicate homelessness by 2024; an ambition which has statutory footing in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 which places duties on local authorities to address homelessness. This contract will place a key role in meeting these aims and ambitions. POP who are deemed high risk are to be prioritised. We are seeking at least 50% of bed spaces to be single units. Other accommodation can include up to four-bed houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs). The Authority's ambition is to convert at least 35% of accommodation arrangements into assured short hold tenancy agreements. People on probation should be supported for up to 56 nights or, in the alternative, receive assistance in their rent deposit (or any outstanding rental arrears) where this poses a barrier to being accommodated. This contract will not require ongoing pastoral support in the provision of these services and envisages the provision of accommodation only, unless otherwise stated in this specification. This is because the Authority has already procured alternative services to meet these needs