Housing Solicitors

The government has announced that supported housing will continue to be exempt from the Local Housing Allowance cap until 2019.

Supported housing supports some of the most vulnerable people from across the country and includes women’s refuges, homeless shelters and housing for those leaving care.

From 2019, the new funding model will protect the sector from the cap, with a top up of additional ring-fenced funding. The amount of top-up funding will be set on the basis of current projections of future need.

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green has repeated the government’s support for the sector to secure its long-term future.

The new ring-fenced pot of money will give local authorities greater flexibility to commission services in line with local needs – and the government will be consulting with the supported accommodation sector over the details of the funding model in the coming months.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Damian Green said:

“We know the valuable role that these organisations play in communities across Britain – women’s refuges or housing for young people with learning disabilities are important parts of the support system for vulnerable people.

“As we build a Britain that works for everyone not just the privileged few, our new funding model will help those people who need it the most.

“The government has had extensive engagement with stakeholders and charities before coming to this decision.

“The new model will mean Housing Benefit and the housing element of Universal Credit will focus on paying for core housing costs, while still ensuring the sector is protected from the Local Housing Allowance cap.”

Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, added:

“As a government that works for everyone, we have been working hard to ensure that the most vulnerable in society get the right level of support.

“That is why we have extended this exemption and will implement a new funding model, which will underpin the provision of safe, stable and supportive places to live for those in need.

“The funding for local authorities in England will allow them to have a more coordinated approach to commissioning, funding and overseeing the support in this area, driving up quality and efficiency in the supported accommodation sector and ensuring the right support is in place where it is needed.

“Housing is a devolved matter and the appropriate funding will be allocated to the devolved administrations.”

The government has also announced that benefit claimants in supported accommodation will be exempt from the lower shared accommodation rate, in recognition of the vulnerable nature of many of their residents.

The government is to publish a consultation on the detail of the funding model in the near future.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

• Debt management for homeowners
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlords’ obligations
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Lease extensions
• Local Authority housing
• Mortgage repossession
• Notice to quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.