FOI request (FOIR-809827663)

Use of temporary accommodation

Requested Tue 10 March 2026
Responded Wed 25 March 2026

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Response

1. Does your authority currently utilise nightly paid temporary accommodation for placements?

Answer: Hastings Borough Council books temporary accommodation via private providers on an adhoc night by night basis.

2. What are the approximate nightly rates paid for temporary accommodation for the following property types? If exact figures cannot be provided, please provide a typical range: · HMO Room · Studio · 1 Bedroom Property · 2 Bedroom Property · 3 Bedroom Property · 4 Bedroom Property

Answer: 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 organisations 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.

3. How many units of nightly paid temporary accommodation does your authority currently utilise?

Answer: 653 units

4. How many single households and family households are currently placed in hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation?

Answer: Hastings Borough Council does not currently have any clients placed in hotel or B&B accommodation.

5. Of those households currently placed in hotel or B&B accommodation, how many have been placed beyond the statutory six-week limit (where applicable)?

Answer: N/A

6. Is your authority's temporary accommodation provision delivered through a formal procurement framework, tendered contract, or other contractual arrangement?

Answer: Hastings Borough Council currently uses private temporary accommodation on an ad hoc night by night basis.

7. Does your authority offer block bookings or guaranteed occupancy arrangements to providers of nightly paid temporary accommodation?

Answer: Hastings Borough Council currently uses private temporary accommodation on an ad hoc night by night basis.

8. Would your authority be open to considering new providers of temporary accommodation, particularly where competitive pricing and additional supply could be offered?

Answer: The council is actively reducing reliance on private nightly paid temporary accommodation through the council's acquisitions programme as defined in the housing strategy.