Public landlords eviction or failed to house requests

Summary

The requester asked for data on public sector landlord evictions and failures to house applicants over five years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 7 evictions occurred and 16 applications were refused due to ineligibility.

Key Facts

• The Department of Infrastructure collects quarterly data from all public sector housing providers.
• Seven evictions were carried out by public sector landlords in the last five years.
• Public sector housing allocation follows a Tynwald approved all-island policy.
• Sixteen applications were refused between January 2016 and January 2021 based on ineligibility.
• No specific reasons for individual evictions were provided in the response.

Data Disclosed

• 7 evictions
• 16 applications refused
• January 2016
• January 2021
• 5 years
• 14 December 2020
• 29 January 2021

Original Request

This letter is to support the request for information on the number of people public sector landlords have evicted and failed to house upon request over the past 5 years. If possible can you please include reasons for evictions and failure to house people upon request.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1601149 29 January 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 14 December 2020 and which states (sic):

"This letter is to support the request for information on the number of people public sector landlords have evicted and failed to house upon request over the past 5 years. If possible can you please include reasons for evictions and failure to house people upon request." The Department of Infrastructure collects data from all public sector housing providers on a quarterly basis, this includes records on the number of evictions carried out. In accordance with the data provided to the Department we have records showing that 7 evictions have been carried out in the last five years. With respect to the second part of the question ‘failed to house upon request’. Public sector housing is subject to a Tynwald approved all-island allocation policy. Eligible applicants must meet all of the requirements for access to public sector housing (https://www.gov.im/media/1346726/public-sector-housing-general-needs-allocation- policy-2019.pdf) The Department can confirm that between January 2016 to January 2021, 16 applications were refused on the basis of ineligibility for access onto the DOI housing waiting list. Please quote the reference number 1601149 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. We will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team