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Exempt accommodation

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Dear Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request concerns “exempt accommodation”. The UK Parliament defines this as: “Supported housing which is exempt from certain Housing Benefit provisions. It is a sector which houses more marginalised groups with support needs, such as recent prison leavers; care leavers; those fleeing domestic violence; and homeless people with substance dependence or mental health issues.”

I understand that housing benefit for people in “exempt accommodation” is paid by the council directly to landlords.

I would like to request the following information:

(1) Please state how much housing benefit has been paid by the council directly to landlords to provide “exempt accommodation” for those in receipt of the benefits. Please provide the figures for each of the past three financial years (2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21), as well as any available data for 2021/22.

(2) Please provide a list of the 20 landlords that have received the highest amount in housing benefit from the council for providing “exempt accommodation” for those in receipt of the benefits. Again, please provide this information for each of the past three financial years (2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21) as well as any available data for 2021/22. For each year, please (a) provide the landlord’s full name or company name, (b) state the total amount they received from the council in each year.

I would like to highlight how the Information Commissioner’s Office has previously ruled that this type of information should be disclosed. For example, in 2015, the ICO held that Torbay Council was not entitled to withhold the names of landlords who have directly received the largest amounts of housing benefit. In 2014, the ICO also ruled that Halton Borough Council was wrong to withhold similar information.

I would like to receive the data in an Excel format. If you feel that a substantive response to this request is not possible within a reasonable timeframe, I would be grateful if you could contact me and provide assistance as to how I can refine the request. If you need any clarification, please contact me.

I look forward to receiving a response in 20 working days. Many thanks.

Yours faithfully,

Jenna Corderoy

Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Dear Jenna,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Exempt accommodation’ (reference number 08228). Your request was received on the 11/02/22 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries about this request, please contact Information Governance on 01254 585852. Alternatively, our email address is [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email].

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 222527

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Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

2 Attachments

Dear Jenna

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Exempt accommodation’ (reference number 08228); Please see our response attached/below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. amounts paid are as follows:
18/19 - £7797816.33
19/20 - £7708421.48
20/21 - £8267345.01
21/22(to date) - £7963174.22

2. See attached

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request for information and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Old Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy.

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 222527

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