Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of Local Housing Allowance in preventing homelessness among Universal Credit claimants in London.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum financial support available for renters claiming either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit in the private rented sector and the level of LHA is based on the number of bedrooms a household needs and the area in which they live. LHA rates are not intended to meet all rents in all areas.
In 2024 LHA rates were increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents costing an additional £7 billion over 5 years.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions reviews LHA rates annually, including the Shared Accommodation Rate. Decisions consider a range of factors such as market rents across Great Britain, poverty impacts and other government priorities.
The causes of homelessness are both personal and structural, and there is no single welfare or housing policy that can significantly reduce homelessness on its own. DWP continues to work closely with MHCLG to make sure interactions with homelessness are considered.
For under 35s that have experienced homelessness there is an exemption from the shared accommodation rate of LHA. Those who are exempt can claim the higher one-bedroom rate of LHA.
Renters receiving housing support who face a shortfall in meeting their rent costs can apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment from local authorities in England.
Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Shared Accommodation Rate on under 35s to a) avoid homelessness and b) move on from homelessness.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum financial support available for renters claiming either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit in the private rented sector and the level of LHA is based on the number of bedrooms a household needs and the area in which they live. LHA rates are not intended to meet all rents in all areas.
In 2024 LHA rates were increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents costing an additional £7 billion over 5 years.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions reviews LHA rates annually, including the Shared Accommodation Rate. Decisions consider a range of factors such as market rents across Great Britain, poverty impacts and other government priorities.
The causes of homelessness are both personal and structural, and there is no single welfare or housing policy that can significantly reduce homelessness on its own. DWP continues to work closely with MHCLG to make sure interactions with homelessness are considered.
For under 35s that have experienced homelessness there is an exemption from the shared accommodation rate of LHA. Those who are exempt can claim the higher one-bedroom rate of LHA.
Renters receiving housing support who face a shortfall in meeting their rent costs can apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment from local authorities in England.
Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what specific steps her Department is taking to help reduce homelessness among (a) LGBT+ people, (b) women, (c) black and other ethnic minority communities and (d) young people.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office, the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping. We have announced £442 million new funding to support this ambition, taking the total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to over £4 billion. Local authorities are best placed to understand and respond to local need, and this flexible funding can be used to design services that meet the needs of LGBT+ people, women, black and other ethnic minority communities and young people. We are clear that housing authorities must be mindful of the Equality Act 2010 and their public sector equality duties towards people who have a protected characteristic.
The Government recognises that some groups of people, including women, young people, LGBT+ people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds can face barriers to support. Through the National Plan to End Homelessness and A Local Plan to End Homelessness, we are clear that services need to be designed to meet their needs.
The department recently published a new chapter of the Homelessness Code of Guidance on young people, which is available at Chapter 22: Young people, including those with care experience - Guidance - GOV.UK and we are developing a new youth homelessness tool kit to support local authorities to prevent young people from experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.
Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the efficacy of Housing First programmes piloted in England and whether she will support their national roll out.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Housing First Pilots evaluation found that a year after entering Housing First, the majority of clients were living in long-term largely social rented accommodation. 84% were living in long-term accommodation at the point of the six-month interview and this rose to 92% after a year. This shows that, done well, this type of accommodation can be effective at resolving and preventing rough sleeping.
As part of the new Rough Sleeping Programme, local authorities and Mayoral Strategic authorities should deliver housing with wraparound support that is suitable for people who have experienced long-term rough sleeping and may experience multiple disadvantage. Local areas will have the flexibility to design both the support and accommodation delivered. This may include, but is not limited to, a Housing First approach, which evidence has shown can transform the lives of people with complex needs.