A method of apportioning storage units in a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes generating storage unit apportioning data indicating a mapping of a plurality of desired numbers of storage units to a plurality of storage sites based on site reliability data. The mapping includes a first desired number of storage units corresponding to a first one of the plurality of storage sites that is greater than a second desired number of storage units corresponding to a second one of the plurality of storage sites in response to the site reliability data indicating that a first reliability score corresponding to the first one of the plurality of storage sites is more favorable than a second reliability score corresponding to the second one of the plurality of storage sites. A plurality of storage units are allocated to the plurality of storage sites based on the storage unit apportioning data.