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<p>The Department for Work and Pensions spends around £30bn a year on housing support
for renters in both the private and social rented sectors. Benefit rates and the Local
Housing Allowance (LHA) are reviewed annually.</p><p>From April this year the Government
is investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to the 30th percentile of local market
rents. This significant investment ensures 1.6 million private renters in receipt
of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit gain on average, nearly £800 in additional
help towards their rental costs in 2024/25.</p><p>LHA provides a reasonable level
of housing support towards rental costs in the private rented sector. LHA rates are
not intended to cover all rents in all areas.</p><p>The Department works closely with
other government departments, stakeholders, jobcentres, and local authorities to understand
the impact of its policies.</p><p>For those who face a shortfall in meeting their
housing costs and need further support Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available
from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.7 billion
in DHP funding to local authorities.</p>
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