Smaller accommodation will be used to support vulnerable people in Brent as the council looks to move away from large-scale hostels.

It comes as Brent Council’s cabinet agreed to offer up new contracts as part of its housing related support services to help groups most at risk.

This includes homeless people, those with additional mental health needs, teenage parents, ex-offenders, women fleeing domestic abuse, and those with substance misuse issues.

A report presented to the council’s cabinet explained: “Those people with most complex needs achieve better outcomes when they are not placed in very large hostels.”

It added the council will look to move to smaller accommodation of “no more than 20 units” to help achieve this and, while maintaining the same provision, will aim to end its use of 92-room hostel Livingstone House, in Melville Road, by 2024.

The contracts will be worth just over a total of £15 million across a maximum of five years, with the funding used to support members of the relevant groups in their bid to live independently.

Available to individuals for up to two years, it will cover a variety of “life skills” such as help with finding employment or training, cooking tips and engagement with the wider community, as well as support with rent and bills if necessary.

Phil Porter, strategic director of community wellbeing at Brent Council, stressed the changes do not represent any cuts to the service, rather a “positive” retendering process.

He also explained those working on behalf of the successful contractors will be paid a London Living Wage.

The process will start on Thursday (February 11) with the new contracts set to begin on November 1.

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