DN510510 - Whitechapel Centre Delivery of Rough Sleeper Initiative

Tender description

This is Year 3 of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) funded Rough Sleeper Initiative Ring fenced Revenue Grant Award. The purpose of the fund in 2020/21 combines the RSI and Rapid Rehousing Pathway (RRP) into a single, streamlined funding programme. The fund is designed to support the establishment or enhancement of coordinated local services, based around the Rapid Rehousing Pathway model, for rough sleepers or those at risk of sleeping rough, with the aim of reducing and, ultimately, ending rough sleeping in England. Approval to accept the Grant from MHCLG as Accountable Body and delivering the RSI programme, to explore the commissioning arrangements to secure the most effective service delivery model, including potential for a direct award to providers delivering the programme, was approved by cabinet (ASC/08/20) on 9th April 2020. In bidding for the grant to MHCLG we were required to name delivery partners, to give reassurance to the funder that appropriate and timely delivery arrangements were in place given the short-timescales for implementation. The Whitechapel Centre as delivery partner was identified due to track record of similar service provision and alignment with existing services (alongside Liverpool YMCA which is subject to a separate exemption).. These services are closely inter related and interdependent that it would not have been feasible to utilise a different provider. Work with the Commercial Procurement Unit to determine the best way of ensuring the funding reached the providers who were delivering, uninterrupted, the RSI programme, was impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. To provide improved value for money. This is 100% grant funded from MHCLG. The spending freeze category is Contractual Requirement as we have an agreed MoU with MHCLG as agreed by Cabinet to spend the grant in a set timeframe on particular items. If any unspent RSI funding in 2020/21 would have to be returned to MHCLG. The work being carried about through the RSI programme has been vital in relation to reducing the risk to vulnerable rough sleepers, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic. The total RSI Grant award for 2020/21 for Liverpool was £861,685, to be split between the two provider partners The Whitechapel Centre and YMCA. 1st Tranche of funding from MHCLG was received on 29th May 2020 and we have been verbally advised that the 2nd Tranche payment will arrive in mid-November, hence the timing of this exemption request.