Homelessness MAIN QUESTIONS

The request was partially successful.

To whom this may concern,

I am seeking information from your local authority under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), regarding the topic of homelessness in your area. My questions are as follows:

• What was the number of people found to be rough sleeping in the area administered by the council in each of the years from 2010 – 2018?
• What was the number of people found to be homeless in the area administered by the council in each of the years from 2010 to 2018?
• How much was spent by the council on schemes aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the years between 2010 and 2018?
• How much was spent by the council on ‘Housing First’ style schemes aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the years between 2010 and 2018?
• How much was spent by the council from Government grants on ‘Housing First’ style schemes aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the years between 2010-2018?

If you can identify any ways that my request could be refined, I would be grateful for any further advice and assistance.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via email and I will be pleased to clarify what I am asking for and discuss the request.

Thank you very much for your help regarding this topic, I look forward to you reply in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Emily Thomas

Debra Wardena, St Albans District Council

CORPORATE SERVICES
Head of Service - Simonne De Vall
 
Our Ref: 000003707
Please ask for: FOI Coordinator
Direct Dial:  (01727) 819209
e-mail address: [St Albans District Council request email]
Date:  20th September 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Dear Ms Thomas
 
Freedom of Information Request - acknowledgement
Reference:000003707
 
I write with regard to your request for information to St Albans City &
District Council. Your email was received by the Council on 20th September
2019.
 
Under Section 10(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we are
required to respond no later than 20 working days after the date we
receive your request.
This means that you should have a response by the 18th October 2019. 
 
However, if we feel that we require further information to fulfill your
request we will write to inform you within the twenty day period [section
1(3)].
 
If we consider that complying with the request will exceed the cost limit
then we will write to tell you within 20 working days.
 
Kind Regards
 
 
 
FOI Coordinator
Corporate Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Privacy Notice for Freedom of Information (FOI)/Environmental Information
(EIR) Processes
This privacy notice explains how St Albans City & District Council (the
Data Controller) will use any personal information we collect about you
when you use our services.
What information do we collect about you?
The information that the Council will collect varies depending on how you
use the Council’s Services. We are using the information provided in this
case because we have a legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)).  This means we
collect your personal information from you so that we can carry out a
function we are required by law to carry out i.e. responding to FOI and
EIR requests.  You will usually provide the following information: your
contact information and details of your request [Art. 6(1)(a)].   We are
collecting this limited personal information so we can respond to your
request.                                     
How will we use the information about you?
If you contact us for information, we will use your personal information
to allow us to send you the response. We may share your personal
information with other departments in order to provide you with the
response. 
We will not share the personal information we hold with any external
organisations.  We may be required to share your personal information with
the Police, Internal Audit, or similar agency, or another Council for the
purposes of preventing and detecting fraud.
We will ensure that all personal information is kept securely.
How long will you keep this information?
We will destroy this personal information 7 years after we have closed the
case.
Individuals’ Rights
You have a right to request a copy of the personal information that we
hold about you.  If you would like a copy of some or all of your
information, please contact [1][St Albans District Council request email] and ask for a subject
access request.
If you consider we hold inaccurate personal information about you, you can
contact us to ask for this information to be corrected.  We will consider
your request and respond within one month.  Please contact
[2][email address].
You can find out more about your rights on our website:  
[3]http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-d...
Changes to our Data Protection Policy
We have a Data Protection Policy in place and this can be found here:
[4]http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/SADC%2...
We review this policy annually.  An updated General Data Protection
Regulation version will appear here before 25^th May 2018.
Data Protection Officer
Our Data Protection Officer for the purposes of Articles 37 to 39 of the
General Data Protection Regulation is Charles Turner, Solicitor to the
Council.  He can be contacted by emailing [5][email address] or
calling 01727 819209 for our Complaints Team.
 
 
How to contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about our Data Protection
Policy, or concerns about how we handle your information: by emailing
[6][St Albans District Council request email] or write to us at: FOI Team, St Albans City &
District Council, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE. 
Complaints
You have a right to complain to the Information Commissioner if you are
unhappy with how we process your personal information.  You can do so
through their website:  [7]https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ or by emailing:
[8][email address] or calling their helpline on 0303 123 1113.
 
 
 
 
 
 
GDPR Privacy Notice – FOI and EIR Art 6(1)(c) Legal Obligation 02.5.18
 
 
 
Do you have a ‘MyStAlbans’ District Account?
To register, just go to [9]www.stalbans.gov.uk/mystalbansdistrictaccount
to access a personalised online account that gives you instant access to
lots of useful council services, wherever you live in the District.
[10][IMG]
 
****Disclaimer****
The information in this message should be regarded as Private and is
intended for the addressee only unless explicitly stated.
If you have received this message in error it must be deleted and the
sender
notified.
The views expressed in this message are personal and not necessarily
those of St Albans City and District Council unless explicitly stated.
Please be aware that emails sent to or received from St Albans City and
District Council may be intercepted and read by the council.
Interception will only occur to ensure compliance with council policies or
procedures or regulatory obligations, to prevent or deter crime, or for
the
purposes of essential maintenance or support of the email system.
Please note that the Council does not accept service by e-mail
The personal information you provide will be held in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Council’s Data
Protection Policy.  You can find more information about how we will handle
your personal information in our privacy notice: [11]Privacy Notice

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[St Albans District Council request email]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-d...
4. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/SADC%2...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[St Albans District Council request email]
7. https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
8. mailto:[email address]
9. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/mystalbansdis...
10. https://stalbans.force.com/mysadc/s/
11. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/Privac...

Eva Radkowska, St Albans District Council

CORPORATE SERVICES
Head of Service - Simonne De Vall
 
Our Ref: 000003707
Please ask for: FOI Coordinator
Direct Dial:  (01727) 819209
e-mail address: [St Albans District Council request email]
Date:  1st October 2019

 
 
Dear Ms Thomas
 
Thank you for your email of 20th September 2019 requesting information in
relation to a Freedom of Information request on homelessness.
 
Unfortunately, we are unable to answer your request without further
clarification. 
 
The Housing Department requires further information in order to locate and
provide the correct information to you.  Please see the item you have
requested below.
 
How much was spent by the council on schemes aimed at tackling
homelessness in each of the years between 2010 and 2018?
 
We are unclear as to exactly what is meant by 'schemes' as it is a word
that can mean different things according to the context.  Please could you
clarify this with an example of the sort of scheme you are enquiring
about.  We would not wish to provide you something you have not requested.
 
Once you have provided clarification, I will be able to begin to process
your request.  If I do not receive clarification within one month your
request will be considered to have lapsed.  Under section 1(3) of the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a public authority need not comply with
a request unless any further information reasonably required to locate the
information is supplied.
 
Please quote the reference number above in any future communications.
 
Kind regards
 
FOI Coordinator
Corporate Services
 
St Albans City & District Council District Council Offices, St Peter's
Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3JE     
 
Tel: 01727 866100    [1]www.stalbans.gov.uk                
                                                                 
 
Do you have a ‘MyStAlbans’ District Account?
To register, just go to [2]www.stalbans.gov.uk/mystalbansdistrictaccount
to access a personalised online account that gives you instant access to
lots of useful council services, wherever you live in the District.
[3][IMG]
 
****Disclaimer****
The information in this message should be regarded as Private and is
intended for the addressee only unless explicitly stated.
If you have received this message in error it must be deleted and the
sender
notified.
The views expressed in this message are personal and not necessarily
those of St Albans City and District Council unless explicitly stated.
Please be aware that emails sent to or received from St Albans City and
District Council may be intercepted and read by the council.
Interception will only occur to ensure compliance with council policies or
procedures or regulatory obligations, to prevent or deter crime, or for
the
purposes of essential maintenance or support of the email system.
Please note that the Council does not accept service by e-mail
The personal information you provide will be held in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Council’s Data
Protection Policy.  You can find more information about how we will handle
your personal information in our privacy notice: [4]Privacy Notice

References

Visible links
1. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/
2. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/mystalbansdis...
3. https://stalbans.force.com/mysadc/s/
4. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/Privac...

Dear Eva Radkowska,

Thank you for your help on this issue, the term 'scheme' refers to any initiative used by the council to tackle homelessness between the years 2010-18.

Thank you again and I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Emily Thomas

Eva Radkowska, St Albans District Council

Dear Ms Thomas

Thank you for your email seen this morning and for the clarification. However, as my clarification request was sent on 1st October 2019 I'm afraid too much time has elapsed for the Council to be able to deal with your request from when it was originally sent. When we request further clarification it is expected that this will be received within a calendar month. In view of this therefore we will need to relog your Freedom of Information request with a fresh timescale. You should receive confirmation of this shortly.

Kind regards.

Eva Radkowska
FOI Coordinator
Corporate Services

show quoted sections

Debra Wardena, St Albans District Council

CORPORATE SERVICES
Head of Service - Simonne De Vall
 
Our Ref: 000004051
Please ask for: FOI Coordinator
Direct Dial:  (01727) 819209
e-mail address: [St Albans District Council request email]
Date:  13th January 2020

 
 
 
 
 
Dear Ms Thomas
 
Freedom of Information Request - acknowledgement
Reference:000004051
 
I write with regard to your request for information to St Albans City &
District Council. Your email was received by the Council on 13th January
2020.
 
Under Section 10(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we are
required to respond no later than 20 working days after the date we
receive your request.
This means that you should have a response by the 10th February 2020. 
 
However, if we feel that we require further information to fulfill your
request we will write to inform you within the twenty day period [section
1(3)].
 
If we consider that complying with the request will exceed the cost limit
then we will write to tell you within 20 working days.
 
Kind Regards
 
 
 
FOI Coordinator
Corporate Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Privacy Notice for Freedom of Information (FOI)/Environmental Information
(EIR) Processes
This privacy notice explains how St Albans City & District Council (the
Data Controller) will use any personal information we collect about you
when you use our services.
What information do we collect about you?
The information that the Council will collect varies depending on how you
use the Council’s Services. We are using the information provided in this
case because we have a legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)).  This means we
collect your personal information from you so that we can carry out a
function we are required by law to carry out i.e. responding to FOI and
EIR requests.  You will usually provide the following information: your
contact information and details of your request [Art. 6(1)(a)].   We are
collecting this limited personal information so we can respond to your
request.                                     
How will we use the information about you?
If you contact us for information, we will use your personal information
to allow us to send you the response. We may share your personal
information with other departments in order to provide you with the
response. 
We will not share the personal information we hold with any external
organisations.  We may be required to share your personal information with
the Police, Internal Audit, or similar agency, or another Council for the
purposes of preventing and detecting fraud.
We will ensure that all personal information is kept securely.
How long will you keep this information?
We will destroy this personal information 7 years after we have closed the
case.
Individuals’ Rights
You have a right to request a copy of the personal information that we
hold about you.  If you would like a copy of some or all of your
information, please contact [1][St Albans District Council request email] and ask for a subject
access request.
If you consider we hold inaccurate personal information about you, you can
contact us to ask for this information to be corrected.  We will consider
your request and respond within one month.  Please contact
[2][email address].
You can find out more about your rights on our website:  
[3]http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-d...
Changes to our Data Protection Policy
We have a Data Protection Policy in place and this can be found here:
[4]http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/SADC%2...
We review this policy annually.  An updated General Data Protection
Regulation version will appear here before 25^th May 2018.
Data Protection Officer
Our Data Protection Officer for the purposes of Articles 37 to 39 of the
General Data Protection Regulation is Charles Turner, Solicitor to the
Council.  He can be contacted by emailing [5][email address] or
calling 01727 819209 for our Complaints Team.
 
 
How to contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about our Data Protection
Policy, or concerns about how we handle your information: by emailing
[6][St Albans District Council request email] or write to us at: FOI Team, St Albans City &
District Council, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE. 
Complaints
You have a right to complain to the Information Commissioner if you are
unhappy with how we process your personal information.  You can do so
through their website:  [7]https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ or by emailing:
[8][email address] or calling their helpline on 0303 123 1113.
 
 
 
 
 
 
GDPR Privacy Notice – FOI and EIR Art 6(1)(c) Legal Obligation 02.5.18
 
 
 
****Disclaimer****
The information in this message should be regarded as Private and is
intended for the addressee only unless explicitly stated.
If you have received this message in error it must be deleted and the
sender
notified.
The views expressed in this message are personal and not necessarily
those of St Albans City and District Council unless explicitly stated.
Please be aware that emails sent to or received from St Albans City and
District Council may be intercepted and read by the council.
Interception will only occur to ensure compliance with council policies or
procedures or regulatory obligations, to prevent or deter crime, or for
the
purposes of essential maintenance or support of the email system.
Please note that the Council does not accept service by e-mail
The personal information you provide will be held in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Council’s Data
Protection Policy.  You can find more information about how we will handle
your personal information in our privacy notice: [9]Privacy Notice

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[St Albans District Council request email]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-d...
4. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/SADC%2...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[St Albans District Council request email]
7. https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
8. mailto:[email address]
9. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/Privac...

Eva Radkowska, St Albans District Council

CORPORATE SERVICES
Head of Service - Simonne De Vall
 
Our Ref: 000004051
Please ask for: FOI Coordinator
Direct Dial:  (01727) 819209
e-mail address: [St Albans District Council request email]
Date:  4th February 2020

 
 
Dear Ms Thomas
 
Freedom of Information Request Ref. No. 000004051
 
I write with regard to your request for information sent by email to St
Albans City and District Council.  Your email was received by the Council
on 13th January 2020.
 
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we are required to confirm what
information we hold, and if we do hold the information, disclose the
information, subject to exemptions or other provisions applying.
 
You requested:
 
•       What was the number of people found to be rough sleeping in the
area             administered by the council in each of the years from
2010 – 2018?
•       What was the number of people found to be homeless in the
area                   administered by the council in each of the years
from 2010 to 2018?
•       How much was spent by the council on schemes aimed at
tackling                   homelessness in each of the years between 2010
and 2018?
•       How much was spent by the council on ‘Housing First’ style
schemes               aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the years
between 2010 and             2018?
•       How much was spent by the council from Government grants on
‘Housing             First’ style schemes aimed at tackling homelessness
in each of the years                 between 2010-2018?
 
Our response:
 
We can confirm that we do hold this information.
 
 
 

 1. What was the number of people found to be rough sleeping in the area
administered by the council in each of the years from 2010 – 2018?
 
This data is not collected by the Council. This is collected by the
Safer Streets Outreach Team that is run through Hightown Housing
Association in partnership with the Council.
 1. What was the number of people found to be homeless in the area
administered by the council in each of the years from 2010 to 2018?

2018/19 - 634 homeless applications
Due to a change in IT systems we do not have data for before the
introduction of the Homeless Reduction Act in April 2018.
 1. How much was spent by the council on schemes aimed at tackling
homelessness in each of the years between 2010 and 2018?

We are not able to break down how much has been spent on homelessness,
however, we can provide figures relating to funding received to be
used for this purpose, namely the Homelessness Support grant, figures
available from 2010 and the Flexible Homelessness Support grant,
figures available from 2018.  Please see table below.

 

 4. How much was spent by the council on ‘Housing First’ style schemes
aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the years between 2010 and
2018?

The Council have successfully established a housing first scheme in
partnership with Hightown Housing Association and Dacorum Borough
Council in October 2019.  The Council received the funding for this
from the Rough Sleeper Initiative from Central Government.  Staff time
has been contributed to the setting up and monitoring of this scheme,
but this is minimal.
 4. How much was spent by the council from Government grants on ‘Housing
First’ style schemes aimed at tackling homelessness in each of the
years between 2010-2018?

The Council received £100,000 for a housing first scheme to be run
over St Albans and Dacorum (£50,000 per authority) from the RSI
funding for the year 2019/20.

 
If you are dissatisfied with this response the Commissioner’s Office
recommends that you first refer the matter to the Council. You can do this
by writing to [1][St Albans District Council request email] asking for an internal review of my
decision. If you wish the Council to undertake an internal review, then
you must write to the Council within 40 working days of the date of this
letter. The Council will not consider any requests received after this
date unless there are exceptional circumstances for the delay. 
 
You have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office at the
following address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
You must do this no later than two months after the Local Authority’s last
response to you.
 
Kind Regards
 
 
FOI Coordinator
Corporate Services
 
 
 
 
****Disclaimer****
The information in this message should be regarded as Private and is
intended for the addressee only unless explicitly stated.
If you have received this message in error it must be deleted and the
sender
notified.
The views expressed in this message are personal and not necessarily
those of St Albans City and District Council unless explicitly stated.
Please be aware that emails sent to or received from St Albans City and
District Council may be intercepted and read by the council.
Interception will only occur to ensure compliance with council policies or
procedures or regulatory obligations, to prevent or deter crime, or for
the
purposes of essential maintenance or support of the email system.
Please note that the Council does not accept service by e-mail
The personal information you provide will be held in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Council’s Data
Protection Policy.  You can find more information about how we will handle
your personal information in our privacy notice: [2]Privacy Notice

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[St Albans District Council request email]
2. http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/Privac...