Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Tenants with Rent Arrears

Monday 17 May 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is working closely with MHCLG to support tenants in sustaining their tenancies.
  • Discretionary housing payments and a 310 million homelessness prevention grant are available to assist tenants.
  • The government has implemented additional funding and measures to address housing benefit and support for tenants.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nigel Mills Con
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern about the potential eviction of tenants facing significant rent arrears due to no fault of their own in the coming months.

Question

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.

Answer from Will Quince (Minister of State for Welfare Reform and Housing)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a cross-Government solution to clear rent arrears over a sensible period was not addressed directly.

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Q2 Nigel Mills Con
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern about the potential eviction of tenants facing significant rent arrears due to no fault of their own in the coming months.

Question

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?

Answer from Will Quince (Minister of State for Welfare Reform and Housing)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a cross-Government solution to clear rent arrears over a sensible period was not addressed directly.

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Q3 Karen Buck Lab
Housing
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.

Question

Discretionary housing payments have suffered a real-terms cut this year compared to before the pandemic. Can the Minister explain?

Answer from Will Quince (Minister of State for Welfare Reform and Housing)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding the real-terms cut in discretionary housing payments was not directly addressed with a concrete explanation.

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