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<p><del class="ministerial">Support for rented housing costs are available through
Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. Discretionary Housing Payments are also available,
these payments are very flexible and can be considered where, in the local authority's
opinion, further financial assistance towards housing costs is required.</del></p><p><del
class="ministerial">Last week, the Chancellor announced, in response to COVID-19,
that for 2020/21, we will increase the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal
Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30th percentile of
market rents.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and
Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people
affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be
penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we
continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins
class="ministerial">We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal
Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local
rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The
government has brought forward a package of measures to protect renters affected by
coronavirus. With these in force, no renter in either social or private accommodation
will be forced out of their home.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">From 26 March,
landlords have had to give all renters 3 months’ notice if they intend to seek possession
(i.e. serve notice that they want to end the tenancy) – this means the landlord can’t
apply to start the court process until after this period.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">This
extended buffer period will apply in law until 30 September 2020 and both the end
point, and the 3 month notice period can be extended if needed.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">From
27 March, the court service has suspended all ongoing housing possession action –
this means that neither cases currently in the system or any about to go in to it
can progress to the stage where someone could be evicted.</ins></p>
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