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<p /> <p>With 1.7 million households on the social housing waiting list in England
alone, 250,000 households living in overcrowded conditions, and around 820,000 spare
bedrooms being paid for within the social sector it was important that something be
done to address this and the housing benefit bill that was spiralling out of control.</p><p>
</p><p>The removal of spare room subsidy was introduced in April 2013 for these reasons
as well as to strengthen work incentives; encourage both mobility within the social
sector and the better use of available social housing by social landlords. More importantly,
this measure was required to bring about parity of treatment between private and social
rented sectors tenants because it is only fair that housing benefit claimants living
in the social sector should make the same considerations as private sector tenants
about the affordability of their rent rather than relying upon the taxpayer to meet
the costs of housing that may be too large for their needs.</p><p> </p><p>Providing
blanket exemptions to the policy were not considered to be the most effective or affordable
approach to targeting resources for those who are vulnerable. Nor was it considered
right that the taxpayer should provide bedrooms in separate households for the same
child where parents are separated especially as this could act as a disincentive to
work.</p><p> </p><p>To mitigate the impact for those facing difficult situations money
was added to the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme. For instance this financial
year £60 million has been added specifically for this measure. This however forms
only part of the overall funding of £125 million for 2015/16, and since April 2013,
£470 million has been provided in DHP funding. This is a proportionate approach which
is effective and provides local authorities, who administer Housing Benefit, with
the right level of flexibility to ensure that those who are vulnerable receive the
help they need, an approach that has also been upheld by the Courts.</p>
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