FOI Request - Homeless Relocation
Request 101003171291
1. Please can you provide figures for the numbers of homeless families relocated to housing (even if temporary) outside of the local authority area in the years 2018 to 2022 so far?
In each case, please provide the post code for the new accommodation. If this is not possible, please provide as much detail on the location of the new placement as possible or the distance of the accommodation from the local authority.
2. For the same time frame, please provide figures for the number of homeless families relocated 20 miles or more from their desired location.
Please provide as much detail as possible on the location of the new placement or the distance from the desired location.
Response 16-11-2022
1. We have not had to relocate any families/applicants outside of the local authority area for temporary accommodation during the timescale - not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held. There was one single applicant, in 2019, who was referred under Section 33 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, Part II, Homeless Persons. Due to the low numbers involved, release of this information could result in the identification of individuals, as would giving details of the new location. This information is therefore exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Personal Information.
2. In line with our Allocations and Homeless Policies, we will consider homeless applicants for accommodation which does not always meet their aspirations/choices in terms of areas. Moray is the 8th largest council area in Scotland, covering an area of 2238 square kilometres. Whilst we will always endeavour to try house homeless applicants in the areas they wish to be in, there are occasions where we will offer properties which will be 20 miles or more from their desired location.
To identify these cases would require individual checks on all applicants where we accepted a homeless duty towards during the time period requested. As these are around 300 per year, to provide the information requested would require for staff to check and cross-reference all of these applications individually which cost the Council in excess of £600. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, excessive cost, we are therefore unable to comply with your request.
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 (so far)
282 288 272 293 278