FOI request (FOIR-685173524)

Emergency and Temporary Housing

Requested Thu 06 February 2025
Responded Thu 06 March 2025

I would like to make an information request regarding emergency housing in Hastings.

1. Would you know who I have to speak to within the council for emergency housing, to find out more about the demand for that and properties that can be used for emergency housing in the area of Hastings?

2. Would you know who I have to speak to within the council for temporary housing, to find out more about the demand for that and properties that can be used for temporary housing in the area of Hastings?

3. Is there a current demand for emergency housing for those aged 18 and above?

4. Is there a current demand for temporary housing for those aged 18 and above?

5. What is the upper and lower weekly cost for those in emergency housing?

6. What is the upper and lower weekly cost for those in temporary housing?

7. What is the process of commissioning those in need of emergency housing?

8. What is the process of commissioning those in need of temporary housing?

9. Please advise what the name, email address and telephone number is for the individual(s) who are responsible for Temporary Housing?

10. Please also advise what the name, email address and telephone number is for the individual(s) who are responsible for Emergency Housing?

A little about myself, I am a property investor based in Hastings, wanting to help with emergency and temporary housing in my local area.

I hope we can build a professional relationship together to make that happen.

Response

1. Please contact: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

2. Please contact: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

3. Yes there is demand currently. However, the council is purchasing properties to meet the temporary accommodation needs of the service.

4. Yes there is demand currently. However, the council is purchasing properties to meet the temporary accommodation needs of the service.

5. REFUSED

6. REFUSED

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

The information you have requested is commercially sensitive and falls under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act - Commercially Sensitive Information - Information prejudicing commercial interests - commercial interest relating to an organisation's commercial activity and may include trading activity procurement and relationships with third parties.

The exemption afforded by Section 43 is subject to what is known as the 'public interest test'. When applying the test in a particular case, a public authority is deciding whether the public interest is better served by non-disclosure than by disclosure.

Although the Freedom of Information Act does not define 'in the public interest', there is a presumption under Freedom of Information that openness is in the public interest. In applying the public interest test a public authority will take into account the distinction that has been often made by courts between things that are in the public interest, and things that merely interest the public. Where applicants have not identified public interest considerations succinctly or accurately, the public authority has a responsibility under the Act to make their own assessment of the public interest considerations in the particular case.

We have identified the following public interest factors that may be seen as encouraging the disclosure of information:

a. accountability of public spending.

We consider these factors to be of limited relevance in relation to the information in question.

Public interest factors seen as encouraging non-disclosure are, generally, the exemptions themselves. In consideration of this matter we came to the following conclusions:

a. ensuring that companies are able to compete for business fairly.

b. damage to reputation and/or financial interests.

In weighing the factors for and against disclosure, we have concluded that the likely benefit to the applicant and the wider public of disclosure is outweighed by the likely prejudice caused by such disclosure and that therefore the public interest is better served by non-disclosure.

For the reasons given above, we will not be communicating to you the information you have requested.

7. Email: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

8. Email: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

9. Please contact: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk

10. Please contact: TemporaryAccommodation@hastings.gov.uk