East Suffolk Council Awards Emergency Supported Accommodation Contract Following Provider Insolvency

East Suffolk Council has awarded a contract to Orwell Housing Association Ltd for the continued delivery of supported accommodation services under Lots 1, 2 and 5 of the East Suffolk Housing Pathway.

The contract covers the provision of supported accommodation bed spaces for people with identified housing and support needs who are not yet ready to live independently.

Valued at £792,521.60 including VAT, the agreement will run from 12 June 2026 to 10 March 2028 and includes provisions for annual uplifts of 3% should extension options be exercised.

The award follows the insolvency of Access Community Trust, which had previously delivered the services. East Suffolk Council stated that the collapse of the provider created an urgent need to secure alternative accommodation and support arrangements for vulnerable residents already placed within the service.

According to the council, Orwell Housing Association was the only organisation able to assume responsibility for the accommodation portfolio at short notice while maintaining continuity of occupation, safeguarding arrangements, property management and support services.

The council noted that undertaking a new procurement exercise would have resulted in delays that could not guarantee continued accommodation provision. It also highlighted the risk that residents could face eviction and homelessness if replacement arrangements were not secured immediately.

As a result, the contract was awarded through a direct award process under the Procurement Act 2023, with the council citing supplier insolvency, technical and operational reasons, and extreme and unavoidable urgency as justification for the approach.

Maintaining Critical Housing Support

The contract supports East Suffolk Council’s Housing Pathway programme, which provides supported accommodation for vulnerable individuals and households who require assistance before moving towards independent living.

The council stated that the award enables the continued operation of the existing Housing Pathway model without disruption to residents, while protecting the delivery of statutory homelessness prevention and relief duties.

Contract Details

Contracting Authority: East Suffolk Council

Contract Title: East Suffolk Housing Pathway Lots 1, 2 and 5

Supplier: Orwell Housing Association Ltd

Contract Value: £792,521.60 including VAT (£660,434.87 excluding VAT)

Contract Period: 12 June 2026 to 10 March 2028

Procedure: Direct Award

Direct Award Justification: Supplier insolvency, technical reasons, and extreme and unavoidable urgency

CPV Codes: 45212400 – Accommodation and restaurant buildings; 70333000 – Housing services

Location: East of England

The award ensures continuity of supported accommodation services for vulnerable residents while East Suffolk Council manages the longer-term future of the Housing Pathway provision.

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