Decision details

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council approve a cash grant to Women's Housing Company Ltd (ABN 38 002 704 056) for the amount stated in Confidential Attachment A to the subject report, to support the purchase and refurbishment of the property described in Confidential Attachment B to the subject report for the provision of crisis and transitional housing to women at risk of or experiencing homelessness subject to the following conditions:

(i)         approval of the cash grant will be withdrawn if:

(a)       the project materially changes from the current proposal as outlined in recommendation (A)

(b)       Women's Housing Company Ltd does not complete its purchase of the property at Confidential Attachment B to the subject report by 30 January 2027

(ii)        a covenant must be registered on the title to the property outlined at Confidential Attachment B to the subject report within 3 months of the transfer of the property to Women's Housing Company Ltd to protect the land use remaining crisis and transitional housing, managed by a registered community housing provider, in perpetuity

(iii)      the grant funds will only be paid in respect of the proposed acquisition and refurbishment of the property outlined at Confidential Attachment B to the subject report, and only after all the following are met to the reasonable satisfaction of Council:

(a)       Women's Housing Company Ltd has provided Council with evidence of a legally binding agreement to purchase the property, at a price consistent with the project budget, as outlined at Confidential Attachment B

(b)       Women's Housing Company Ltd has demonstrated that funding is or will on settlement be available for the cost of the acquisition and works to make the property fit for its intended purpose, noting this could be in the form of other grants, debt finance or partnerships

(c)       Women's Housing Company Ltd has agreed to and signed the covenant required by recommendation A(ii) in a form that will enable the City to lodge the covenant for registration on the title to the property following transfer of ownership

(iv)      the City will require the grant to be repaid in full indexed annually by CPI if:

(a)       Women's Housing Company Ltd does not complete its purchase of the property at Confidential Attachment B to the subject report by 30 January 2027 or

(b)       the covenant as contemplated by recommendation (A)(ii) is not registered on the title to the property in the required timeframe or

(c)       the project materially changes from the current proposal as outlined in recommendation (A) prior to the covenant contemplated by recommendation (A)(ii) being registered on the title to the property

(v)       acquittal of the grant is to be provided by way of evidence of registration of the covenant required by recommendation A(ii)

(B)      Council note that the grant amount is exclusive of GST

(C)      Council note that the cash grant is for an amount higher than 30% of the total estimated project cost

(D)      authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to:

(i)         finalise negotiations, execute and administer the grant agreement with the Women's Housing Company Ltd in accordance with this report

(ii)        otherwise administer all matters relating to this grant.

Carried unanimously.

S095194.009