Dear Sir or Madam,

Please provide details of:

1. How many properties in the borough were provided by the Council,
its partner housing associations or other agencies, for new tenants
in 2007;

2. How many of these were either for non-UK citizens, new UK
citizens or asylum seekers / political refugees;

3. How many of the tenants in 2. above have their rent paid through
the benefits system.

Thank you for your help

Yours faithfully, R Webb

Freedom of Information Request Reference 2008/1689

Thank you for your request for information.

This will be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Yours sincerely

Lee Harris
Information Management Officer

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Freedom of Information Request Reference 2008/1689

I refer to your request for information relating to properties for either for non-UK citizens, new UK citizens or asylum seekers / political refugees, received on 12th June 2008.

Please see the information in response to your questions provided below :-

1. How many properties in the borough were provided by the Council, its partner housing associations or other agencies, for new tenants in 2007

In 2007/08 there were 1,024 lettings to new tenants i.e. those taking up their first tenancy and not those transferring from another social housing tenancy.

2. How many of these were either for non-UK citizens, new UK citizens or asylum seekers / political refugees;

Part VI of the Housing Act requires that allocations are only made to those who are eligible for allocation and this broadly means that a person must have settled immigration status, although there are many different types of immigration status that can make someone eligible and it is not a straightforward question of nationality. Details confirming eligibility are obtained in each case and are held on the applicant file. The Housing Department’s IT system records whether the applicant is or is not eligible, but not the specific reason for them being eligible. In accordance with the provisions defined under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we are unable to supply information on the specific reason for them being eligible as the process of identifying, locating, retrieving and, where appropriate, extracting the information from manual files and databases would significantly exceed the appropriate limit as defined by the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.

3. How many of the tenants in 2. above have their rent paid through the benefits system?

In accordance with the provisions defined under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we are unable to supply information on the specific reason for them being eligible as the process of identifying, locating, retrieving and, where appropriate, extracting the information from manual files and databases would significantly exceed the appropriate limit as defined by the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.

I hope this information meets your needs. If you do not understand the information provided or wish to discuss anything further, please feel free to contact me and I, or another member of the team will be able to assist you.

If you are dissatisfied with the information provided or decisions made in relation to your request you may make representations to the Chief Executive. Correspondence should be addressed to: -

Room 162
Wandsworth Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: -

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Lee Harris
Information Management Officer
[Wandsworth Borough Council request email]<mailto:[Wandsworth Borough Council request email]>
Copyright

Please note, all material provided by Wandsworth Council in response to your request for information is for your personal, non-commercial use. Wandsworth Council reserves all rights in the copyright of the information provided. Any unauthorised copying or adaptation of the information without express written confirmation from Wandsworth Council will constitute an infringement of copyright. Any intention to re-use this information commercially will require consent. Please forward any requests for re-use of information to the FOI officer

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