Reference: FOI-643646823
Date of request: 03/09/2024
Title of request: Homeless Applications & Interim Accommodation

Dear Wes Hall,

Thank you for submitting your FOI Request. We confirm receipt of your
request and will be in touch in due course.

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will advise you of this. Please refer to the attachment which gives a
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Information Governance

 

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Reference: FOI-643646823
Date of request: 03/09/2024
Title of request: Homeless Applications & Interim Accommodation
Information request:

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 regarding the council’s expenditure on interim temporary
accommodation and related costs, as well as the measures being taken to
reduce such expenditures.
Please provide the following information:
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.
I would appreciate it if the information could be provided in electronic
format

Dear Wes Hall,

Request for Information

Thank you for your request for information dated 03 September 2024
(received by the Council that same date) which has been passed to me for
attention.

You have requested the following information:

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless
application to the Council?

621

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?

not applicable in Scotland

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with
interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?

not applicable in Scotland

- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing
interim accommodation?

Not held, we only hold information by financial year – see 2

 a. What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its
parent companies/subsidiaries?
Not held
 b. What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related
entities over the past twelve months?
£1080

 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?

B&B costs:

• 2023/24 - £52,806.15
• 2022/23 - £51,511.76
• 2021/22 - £26,333.06

- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the
number of placements made outside the borough.

We don’t collate the breakdown of cost, however B&B’s and Hotels are
situated in these areas: Dundee, Monifieth, Carnoustie, Forfar and
Montrose

- 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?

Nil

- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage,
transportation, etc.) and location.

N/a

 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?

None

- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal
property is stored by the local authority?

N/a

- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal
property while they are in interim accommodation?

N/a

- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal
property of homeless applicants?

Individuals and families that have been evicted from their own tenancies
and have their own furniture and furnishings that require temporary
accommodation.

- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority
expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal
property protected?

this is not part of the assessment process and should be raised by
applicant.

- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.

As above

- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding
homeless applications.

The Authority uses the Code of Guidance on Homelessness which sets out the
powers and duties of local authorities in dealing with applications from
people seeking help on the grounds that they are homeless or threatened
with homelessness as stated in section 37 of The Housing (Scotland) Act
1987

- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the
protection of the personal property of homeless applicants.

See attached documents

- 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.

Not available

- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by
homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their
personal property?

Nil

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?

A two-day exercise was undertaken in August 2024 to house several homeless
applicants as quickly as possible. All offers of social housing were
paused to match any empty properties to homeless applicants that had been
homeless for a considerable amount of time. This exercise was undertaken
to reduce the number of homeless applicants in temporary accommodation and
to free up accommodation and reduce the reliance on B&B’s and Hotels.

- 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.

Angus Council’s Housing service has a current action under Quarter 2 of
the service’s Improvement Plan to “Complete analysis of supply and demand
to ensure adequate supply of temporary homeless accommodation”. This work
is ongoing.

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?

Latest reports indicate that there are 239 long-term empty residential
properties owned by Angus Council. The Housing Service do not hold records
for all parcels of land currently owned by Angus Council, however, our
Strategic Housing Investment Plan currently contains 8 Council owned sites
identified for future affordable housing. Additional information regarding
these sites can be contained in Report No 316/23 Appendix 2:

[1]https://www.angus.gov.uk/committees/comm...

- 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.

None

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?

Angus Health and Social Care Partnership is currently undertaking a review
of supported accommodation in the area. This work includes reviewing
existing supported housing provision against demand and future need in the
area for all types of supported accommodation, including supported
homeless accommodation. These options may form part of an options
appraisal following progress of the review however funding options remain
very limited.

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?

Any individual accommodation outwith the region were supported by their
allocated Case Manager. They were also supported by the services social
care officers should they have a support need. Individuals were also
sign-posted to local supports in their area.

 - 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.

Anyone housed in Angus can have support from the Angus Homeless Prevention
Service. This service is free, it is not a chargeable service under SDS.
The service can provide support in these and more:

• Support those that are homeless
• Support those who have their own home but are at risk of losing it or
are struggling to maintain it
• Finances, debts, benefits
• Setting up home, grants, rent, utilities, furniture, furnishings,
decoration
• Independent living skills
• Access to other services
• Support to attend appointments, advocate on the individuals behalf
• Advice and assistance, providing  a listening ear
• Engaging in the community, education, employment, volunteering
• Form filling, dealing with mail
• Crisis intervention

 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.

It is very rare that we would have temporary accommodation placements out
with the borough area, if someone is placed out with the area any impact
would be assessed via the holistic housing options assessment process
which takes into account any ongoing support needs. 

In compiling responses to information requests we invariably use
information which is routinely published on the [2]Council's website
(opens in a new window) or through its [3]Publication Scheme (opens in a
new window). If you require further information please first check that
the information you want is not routinely published as any such
information is exempt from release in terms of Section 25 of the Freedom
of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 or Regulation 6(1)(b) of the
Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

Please note that the information contained in this reply is believed to be
accurate as at today's date (unless otherwise indicated) but no warranty
is given. Further, Angus Council does not accept liability for any loss,
injury or damage which arises from the use of the information contained in
this reply either by you or by any other party. Please refer to the
request summary document sent to you as part of your request
acknowledgement which explains your right to ask for a review if you are
unhappy with the Council's decision on this matter.

If you have any queries, please contact myself at [email address]

Yours sincerely

Phoebe Scott

Service Development Officer

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2004

INSPIRE (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2009

Your Right to Request a Review by the Council

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which Angus Council has dealt with
your request for information under any of the above legislation, you have
a right to ask the council to review its actions and/or decisions
regarding your request. If you wish to do this, you should make your
request to the Service Leader - Legal, Angus Council, Angus House, Sylvie
Way, Orchardbank Business Park, Forfar DD8 1AN or email
[4][email address] within 40 working days.

Your request must:

• be in writing (or recordable format),
• give your name and address for correspondence,
• give details of the information which you originally requested from
the council, and
• give the reasons why you are dissatisfied with the way in which your
application for information has been dealt with.

Your application for review will then be considered by the council's
review panel. The review panel will write to inform you of its decision
not later than 20 working days after receipt of your request for review.
The review panel will also provide you with a statement of its reasons for
arriving at the decision it has made.

Your Right to Appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner

If you are dissatisfied with a decision of the council's review panel (or
where the review panel has not provided you with a response), you have the
right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision as
to whether your request for information has been dealt with by the council
in accordance with the above statutory instruments.

Your application to the Scottish Information Commissioner must:

• be in a recordable format (letter, e-mail, audio tape etc),
• give your name and address for correspondence,
• give details of the request for information which you originally
requested from the council,
• give details of why you were dissatisfied with the council’s response
to your original request,
• give details of why you were dissatisfied with the decision of the
council's review panel.

In the case of an EIR or FOI request your application to the Scottish
Information Commissioner must be made within 6 months of receipt of the
decision of the council's review panel (or within 6 months of the date
that the review panel should have responded). No such time limit applies
under the 2009 Regulations.

Appeals to the Commissioner can be lodged online through the following
hyperlink:

[5]http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
or by contacting:

Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St
Andrews, Fife, KY16 9BS; Telephone - 01334 464610; Fax - 01334 464611;
Email -[6][email address]

 

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please inform the sender and remove it from your system. If received in
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way. This message is not capable of creating a legal contract or a binding
representation and does not represent the views of Angus Council. Emails
may be monitored for security and network management reasons. Messages
containing inappropriate content may be intercepted. Angus Council does
not accept any liability for any harm that may be caused to the recipient
system or data on it by this message or any attachment.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is
confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others
authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in
relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and
may be unlawful.

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been
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References

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4. [email address]
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