The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report by explaining that Beam were a crowdfunding platform that could help individual homeless people overcome financial barriers to career progression and provide support for homeless households.  He explained the process in setting up a crowdfunding page for an individual which then sought donations to help with their specific needs and requirements. The Cabinet Member for Housing said an individual was supported through and beyond the process by a Beam worker.  He listed the benefits of the scheme which included helping people back into work and secure housing, and he said that by investing in the partnership it was anticipated there would be a significant saving in the temporary accommodation bill in the medium term.  He referred to the cuts from Kent County Council’s Kent Homeless Connect contract and said that SBC were taking the initiative by entering into the pilot scheme.

The Head of Housing and Communities highlighted that a waiver had been sought with Beam to evidence that the scheme worked.  She explained how the project was unique and individuals that would be suitable to work within the programme had already been identified.

In the discussion that followed Members made points including:

·         The size of homelessness issues was increasing, and SBC had to consider different projects to help;

·         supported the holistic approach of considering an individual’s needs;

·         many people were a pay cheque away from being homeless;

·         were the donations to an individual or a national pot?; and

·         how would local organisations contribute?.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Housing explained that local organisations could sign up to offer training and would work with Beam to support individuals to secure sustained employment.  He said that companies or individuals could choose to donate as a one-off or a regular monthly payment.  The Cabinet Member for Housing went on explain that a cashable saving was temporary accommodation savings, and this could be measured. There would be indirect savings such as being employed and paying Council Tax in the Borough, or savings as a result of not claiming Universal Credit. 

The Chief Executive gave her experience of working with Beam at a previous authority which was one of the first to participate.  She spoke positively about the project when extensive and long-term support was given, which was vital in its success, and she said the majority of funding came from monthly donations which gave a more balanced split across individuals. The Chief Executive said that Beam were now more organised, and the project did work well, but every Borough was different and so the pilot scheme was a good idea.

Resolved:

(1)  That a spend and save pilot in partnership with Beam be entered into.