FOI003095 FOI Benefits

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request information held by the council relating to “Exempt Accommodation” (EA).
Unless specified otherwise, please provide the following information for each financial year from 2018/19 to 2025/26 inclusive, or for the latest date for which data is available.
1.    Total Housing Benefit expenditure
For each financial year, please provide the total amount of Housing Benefit expenditure (sometimes referred to as “enhanced housing benefit”) paid in respect of all claims that meet the definition of Exempt Accommodation under Housing Benefit regulations.
2.    Number of successful claims
Please provide the number of successful Housing Benefit claims relating to residents living in Exempt Accommodation.
3.    Number of exempt accommodation properties
Please provide the total number of properties being used as Exempt Accommodation within the council’s area.
4.    Breakdown of provider types
For the properties identified in Question 3, please provide a breakdown by provider type, including:
a.    Number of Registered Providers / Housing Associations (registered with the Regulator of Social Housing)
b.    Number of registered charities only
c.    Number of Community Interest Companies (CICs)
d.    Number of Private Limited Companies
e.    Number owned by the council
f.    Number classified as other provider types (please specify the type)
5. Providers of Exempt Accommodation
Please provide a list of all organisations or individuals operating or registered as providers of Exempt Accommodation within the council’s area as of the date of this request.
6.    Weekly Housing Benefit Amounts
Regarding the weekly Housing Benefit paid per resident in Exempt Accommodation, please provide for each financial year:
a) Highest weekly amount paid
b) Average weekly amount paid
c) Lowest weekly amount paid
7.    Average length of stay
Please provide the average length of stay for residents living in Exempt Accommodation.
8.    Assessment of new providers
Please provide details of the council’s current process for assessing new providers of Exempt Supported Accommodation before Housing Benefit payments are approved. This may include any due diligence, quality assurance, safeguarding checks, inspections, referral pathways, or standards applied.