Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the effect on the financial resilience of people living in supported housing was considered in drawing up proposals to introduce rent-free supported housing; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed funding model for short-term supported housing changes the source of funding from welfare benefits to a local grant fund. In housing benefit, the payment is, in practice, normally made direct to the landlord for those living in supported housing, and this is exactly the same in the proposed funding model for short-term supported housing. In either case the individual is responsible for paying any ineligible service charges and incidental costs.