Commenting the news that the capping of the Local Housing Allowance will be deferred until 2019/20 for those living in specialist accommodation, CSAN CEO Philip McCarthy said:
“We are very pleased that Mr Green has taken the decision to defer the application of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to social rents and to implement a new funding model in 2019/20 with the aim of keeping the funding of the sector at current levels. We are particularly pleased to hear Mr Green’s pledge to provide top-up funding to Local Authorities for supported housing schemes.
“Supported accommodation projects have higher maintenance costs and investment than general needs housing, and we welcome the DWP’s acknowledgement of the difficulties these providers face in managing projects which are financially viable and still provide for the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society most in need of this type of housing.
Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that each person has the right to housing and security, and recognises the provision of adequate housing as an essential service. Supported housing schemes fulfil this requirement for those who need it.”
1. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) refers to the rate at which Housing Benefit is set in a certain area. 2. The Government announced in the Spending Review November 2015 that a cap to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), would be applied to social housing settings.See Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015 (pdf), p.42, for more information.
