FOI request (FOIR-643632127)

Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation

Requested Tue 03 September 2024
Responded Fri 20 December 2024

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 (for example, Travelodge, bed and breakfasts, and so on) 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 (for example, storage, transportation, and so on) 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 Bed and Breakfasts?

- 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 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 (for example, repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings.

I would appreciate it if the information could be provided in electronic format, and I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days.

Response

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:

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

Answer: From 1 September 2023 to 30 August 2024 = 1325 households

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

Answer: Households in temporary accommodation during 1st September 2023 to 30 August 2024: Interim: pending enquiries plus intentional homeless, review appeal, awaiting appeal = 581 Rough sleeper accommodated under HA96 S189 power where no S188 interim duty owed = 20 Section 193(2) = 757

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

Answer: See above

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

Answer: See below

a. What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its parent companies/subsidiaries?

Answer: No placements were made

b. What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related entities over the past twelve months?

Answer: No placements were made

2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:

For costs, please see the attached spreadsheet.

Out of borough placements: 2021/22 = 204, 2022/23 = 206, 2023/24 = 150

- 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?

Answer: This information is not held in a manner whereby costs such as storage or taxis can be analysed and therefore cannot be provided.

- Please provide details of these costs by category (for example, storage, transportation, and so on) and location.

Answer: This information is not held in a manner whereby costs such as storage or taxis can be analysed and cannot therefore be provided.

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?

Answer: Since 01/09/23 we have had 52 Applications for Personal Property Protected by Hastings Borough Council

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

Answer: The average time an applications belongings are kept in storage is 13 months.

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

Answer: The average cost of storage per client over 12 months is £102.49 per month.

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

Answer: Storage is offered to all clients entering 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?

Answer: All clients are offered Storage.

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

Answer: All clients entering Temporary Accommodation are offered storage.

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

Answer: See Code of Guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/13/contents

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

Answer: See Code of Guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/13/contents

- 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.

Answer: See Code of Guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/13/contents

4. We only use out of Borough temporary accommodation as a last resort, at 22 October 2024 9 households out of 480 in private temporary accommodation are placed outside the Borough. When they are, it is usually for a very short period or because they are at risk in Hastings. We are addressing our reliance on private temporary accommodation through an ambitious acquisitions programme where we are looking to purchase approximately 175 home for us as Temporary Accommodation. We have earmarked nearly £40m of capital investment to achieve this.

We work regularly with our Planning Colleagues to review opportunities for development of empty homes and vacant land. We are developing 16 homes on a Brownfield Site which will be ready for letting in Spring of 2026. We have not compulsory purchased any properties for use as temporary accommodation. We have not undertaken any adverse possession proceedings to make use of disused buildings or land. We are currently consulting on and preparing a new Housing Strategy where the potential for Empty Homes and vacant land will be considered and viable recommendations made for making use of any opportunities identified.

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?

Answer: We have an ambitious acquisitions programme and are buying empty properties. More information on this can be found at https://hastings.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=5078&Ver=4 agenda item

- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders 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.

Answer: We have not considered or initiated any due to the capacity and resources they require.

- 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.

Answer: Through the Town Living Fund and the Acquisitions programme we are supporting Hastings Commons to deliver 12 affordable homes in the Observer Building which was a former print works. More information on this can be found a https://hastings.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=5078&Ver=4 agenda item 6.

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.

Answer: More information on our acquisitions programme can be found a https://hastings.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=5078&Ver=4 agenda item 6.

- 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?

Answer: More information on our acquisitions programme can be found a https://hastings.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=5078&Ver=4 agenda item 6.

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?

Answer: Clients placed out of area are provided with travel warrants to return to the borough as needed (for example, for children to attend school, for household members to attend medical or other appointments). Most out of borough placements are a 30 minute train journey away, so travelling in between is achievable. Clients are given information on local support services when placed (for example, day centres, food banks). Clients are also offered a referral to a floating support service who can provide telephone support during the placement, and can assist clients to access services in the area they are placed in. Clients are give the contact details for the TA team so that they can make contact about any concerns or queries that they have about their placement.

- 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.

Answer: Clients can be referred to the local floating support service for assistance. If a client is moving to social housing the housing associations have tenancy support teams who can support clients with the transition. These services assist with support with moving, setting up bills, changing address for services the client is engaging with, identifying facilities in the local area the client may want to access, and any other housing related support specific to the individual. Data on the outcomes and costs is not held by this organisation as Hastings Borough Council does not commission these services.

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.

Answer: The Temporary Accommodation (TA) team is in regular contact with clients, TA providers, and support services to ensure that the TA placements, both out of borough and locally, are suitable for the needs of the client. The TA team also complete property inspections and hold drop in sessions at some units of TA. If any concerns or issues are raised or identified, these are investigated and clients are moved to alternative placements if required, referred to support services as needed, and are encouraged and enabled to secure their own long term accommodation where possible.

- 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 (for example, repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings.

Answer: See Q4 above.

Attachments

• FOIR-643632127_FOIR-643632127_1-FOIR-643632127_-_Q2_information.xlsx