Barriers to Work Supported Housing and Exempt Accommodation 2022-03-21
2022-03-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the barriers faced by individuals in supported housing, particularly those receiving housing benefit at exempt accommodation rates. She mentions that some residents are paying hundreds of pounds a week in rent due to exemptions from the housing benefit limit.
What assessment has been made of the barriers to work for tenants who are in (a) supported housing and (b) receipt of housing benefit at exempt accommodation rates?
We are committed to tackling barriers to work for everybody, especially those in supported housing. Through our Plan for Jobs, we are targeting tailored support at people of all ages to help them prepare for, get into and progress in work.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment or data on the barriers faced by individuals in supported housing and receipt of housing benefit at exempt accommodation rates was not provided.
We Are Committed To Tackling
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP welcomed the announcement regarding regulation of supported housing but highlights a current issue where individuals are paying high rent due to exemptions from the housing benefit limit, acting as a deterrent to entering work.
I welcomed the announcement made by the Minister for Housing about regulation of supported housing. However, currently there are people in supported housing where they could be paying hundreds of pounds a week in rent due to an exemption from the housing benefit limit. My local DWP branch tells me that this is a real deterrent for them to come off housing benefit or universal credit and get into work. What is being done to address the problem?
The income taper in housing benefit ensures that claimants will always be financially better off working than not being in work. We believe that maintaining housing benefit in these cases has allowed claimants to continue receiving more tailored financial support for their housing costs than would currently be available through universal credit.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific measures addressing high rent payments and barriers to employment were not detailed.
Maintaining Housing Benefit Allows Claimants To Receive More Tailored Financial Support
Response accuracy