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30/Sep/2024 11:17:53:

 

 

 

Request:

 

 

 

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless
application to the Council?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing
interim accommodation?
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its
parent companies/subsidiaries?
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related
entities over the past twelve months?

2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:

- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation
(e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three
financial years?
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the
number of placements made outside the borough.
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage,
taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary
accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years?
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage,
transportation, etc.) and location.

3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:

- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their
personal property protected by the local authority?
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal
property is stored by the local authority?
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal
property while they are in interim accommodation?
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal
property of homeless applicants?
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority
expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal
property protected?
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding
homeless applications.
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the
protection of the personal property of homeless applicants.
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or
policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless
service centres/homeless persons offices.
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by
homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their
personal property?

4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:

- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on
temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs?
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the
availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the
use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide
details.

5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land:

- How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the
council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation?
- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders
(CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary
accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of
properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs.
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit
groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via
adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please
provide examples, if any.

6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:

- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in
Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed
into temporary accommodation and support services? If so, has the council
explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of
any discussions, plans, or actions taken.
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a
peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to
repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support
services? If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option?

7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation:

What support services does the council currently provide for individuals
placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough, particularly in
terms of maintaining their connection to local support networks,
healthcare providers, and other essential services?
Are there any programs in place to assist individuals in transitioning
from temporary accommodation outside the borough to permanent housing
within the borough? If so, please provide details on the nature of the
support provided, outcomes, and costs.

8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints:

How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its
temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the
borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these
placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or
distress caused.
Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current
expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential
savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty
properties)? If so, please provide the findings.

 

 

 

Decision:

 

 

 

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless
application to the Council? 2056
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?
262
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?
262
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing
interim accommodation? 2023/2024 = 501k Cannot be broken down
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its
parent companies/subsidiaries? Cannot be broken down
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related
entities over the past twelve months? Cannot be broken down

2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:
- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation
(e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three
financial years? 2023/2024 = 501k . 2022/2023 = 159k. 2021/2022= 40k
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the
number of placements made outside the borough. Cannot be broken down.
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage,
taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary
accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years?
Cannot be broken down
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage,
transportation, etc.) and location. Cannot be broken down
3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:
- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their
personal property protected by the local authority? Cannot be broken down
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal
property is stored by the local authority? 21 Days
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal
property while they are in interim accommodation? Cannot be broken down
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal
property of homeless applicants? Unable to remove items from property,
left property without notification, No room in proposed property. Not
limited to.
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority
expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal
property protected? No
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked. It will
be determine whether an applicant requires assistance during the
application process,
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding
homeless applications. See attached
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the
protection of the personal property of homeless applicants. See attached
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or
policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless
service centres/homeless persons offices. See attached
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by
homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their
personal property? 0
4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:
- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on
temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs?
We do not rely on accommodation outside of ‘’The Borough’’.
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the
availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the
use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide
details. We use our own stock where possible and collaborate with local
Landlords and or nightly accommodation providers.
5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land:
- How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the
council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation? We
already use our own stock for TA and will continue to look for alternative
options through our planning and procurement teams.
- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders
(CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary
accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of
properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs. NO
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit
groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via
adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please
provide examples, if any. N/A
6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:
- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in
Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed
into temporary accommodation and support services? If so, has the council
explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of
any discussions, plans, or actions taken.
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a
peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to
repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support
services? If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option? Yes –
and will continue to work along side community groups in the future.
7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation:
Very few ‘’out of area’’ placements are made but if necessary, constant
communication between clients and offers is maintained.
8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints:
How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its
temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the
borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these
placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or
distress caused.

Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current
expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential
savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty
properties)? If so, please provide the findings. Nothing to report.

 

 

 

Your right of appeal:

 

 

 

If you have any queries or concerns regarding this decision, please email:
[South Kesteven District Council request email]

 

 

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a request for an internal review of the SKDC
decision, you should email: [South Kesteven District Council request email] and quote ‘FOI review
request’ in the subject line.

 

 

 

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may
apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally,
the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the procedure
provided by the council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

 

 

Information Commissioner's Office

 

Wycliffe House

 

Water Lane

 

Wilmslow

 

Cheshire

 

SK9 5AF

 

 

 

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

 

 

 

Website: www.ico.org.uk

 

 

 

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