| answer text |
<p>The Government engages with a range of stakeholders on issues relating to the Local
Housing Allowance, homelessness and temporary accommodation.</p><p>In April 2020,
in response to the pandemic, Local Housing Allowance rates were raised to the 30th
percentile of market rates. As a result of this increase, over 1.5 million households
gained just over £600 per year on average in 2020/21. We have maintained rates at
this elevated cash level and will continue to review rates annually.</p><p>Discretionary
Housing Payments (DHPs) are also available from local authorities for tenants who
face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs. Since 2011 the Government has provided
nearly £1.6 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.</p><p>The Government is committed
to preventing homelessness where possible. We have allocated £654 million through
the Homelessness Prevention Grant which provides funding to enable Local Authorities
to invest in prevention activities and helps meet their temporary accommodation costs.
This is in addition to the £50m top-up to the Homelessness Prevention Grant for 2022/23
announced in December.</p>
|
|
