Support for Tenants with Rent Arrears 2021-05-17
2021-05-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the potential eviction of tenants facing significant rent arrears due to no fault of their own in the coming months.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the welfare system helps support tenants with rent arrears to sustain their tenancies. I thank the Minister for that answer. However, many tenants will face eviction in the next few months and would require a solution to clear arrears over a sensible period and secure tenancies.
We continue to work closely with the MHCLG to support people sustain their tenancies. Discretionary housing payments are available, and the Government will make £310 million homelessness prevention grant available. Work coaches provide tailored support including referrals.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a cross-Government solution to clear rent arrears over a sensible period was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the potential eviction of tenants facing significant rent arrears due to no fault of their own in the coming months.
Many tenants will face eviction in the next few months and would require a solution to clear arrears over a sensible period and secure tenancies. Would he work on a cross-Government basis to find a solution?
We continue working closely with MHCLG, discretionary housing payments are available, £310 million homelessness prevention grant will be made. Work coaches provide tailored support including referrals.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a cross-Government solution to clear rent arrears over a sensible period was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
More than half of claimants needing help with housing costs face a shortfall between the help available and actual rent, amounting to £100 per month for universal credit claimants. The Minister is asked to explain why discretionary housing payments have suffered real-term cuts.
Discretionary housing payments have suffered a real-terms cut this year compared to before the pandemic. Can the Minister explain?
We take this issue seriously, pumping an additional nearly £1 billion into local housing allowance, freezing it in cash terms for a year. We have two-week run-on of housing benefit, direct payments to landlords available, £140 million in DHPs, homelessness prevention grant, work coach support and Money and Pensions Service support.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding the real-terms cut in discretionary housing payments was not directly addressed with a concrete explanation.
Response accuracy