Provision of a Homelessness Prevention & Advice Service

Description

This pre-market engagement notice, sets out the requirements Bridgend County Borough Council (the Council) has for a Homelessness Prevention and Financial Advice services. Whilst delivered under one contract, the service will be distinctly split between the following two elements of service delivery:  Homelessness Prevention Service &  Financial Advice Service The Provider will work collaboratively alongside the Council’s Housing Solutions team to support, advise and advocate for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness or otherwise have a housing need. The service will support its service users to tackle issues, such as: • Homelessness legislation, including duties in line with the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and right to review • Notice seeking possession • Possession proceedings (including potential defences / counter claim) • Unlawful eviction • Adhering to Reasonable Steps as set out in Personal Housing Plans • Income and expenditure • Debt advice • Housing Benefit The service will be embedded within the Council’s Housing Solutions team and will support and create capacity within the Council’s Housing Solutions and Customer Services teams, who will be the primary referrers. This contract period will be for 3 years, commencing on 1st November 2026 with the option to extend for up to 24 months. The service will assist with the vision of the Housing Support Grant that promotes “A Wales where nobody is homeless and everyone has a safe home where they can flourish and live a fulfilled, active and independent life”. Services will also support the prevention and wellbeing agenda of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The estimated value of this contract will be around £98,000 per annum. However, the estimated value is subject to market feedback and review, so this could change at the point of the formal Invitation to Tender. The purpose of holding a Provider Event is to establish the level of market interest and to gather information that will be beneficial in the tendering process. It will also be an opportunity for the providers to ask any questions about the contract. The event format will be 1-1 bookable timeslots with the provider and Bridgend Council officers present. It will take place online via Microsoft Teams. All providers are welcome to attend and enquire. However, we always encourage local small and medium-sized enterprises to participate. These events are not a formal call for competition, and non-participating providers will still be eligible to bid for the contract. The formal Invitation to Tender will be published June 2026. We will be holding Provider Events on 23rd and 24th April (timeslots to be confirmed with interested providers). Please email leanne.brown1@bridgend.gov.uk to book your slot.