PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Homelessness: Coronavirus (1 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what source of additional funding his Department has identified to meet the needs of homeless people accommodated through the Everyone In programme for (a) long-term secure accommodation, where people are (i) eligible for housing benefit but the accommodation costs result in them being affected by the benefit cap, and (ii) not eligible for housing benefit; (b) tenancy support services; and (c) mental health and other long-term support needs.

Asked by:
James Murray (Labour)

We are?bringing forward?over?£160 million?this year?to?provide?3,300?homes for rough sleepers. This marks a significant acceleration of the £381 million announced at Budget, ensuring that 6,000 new housing units will be put into the system? as part of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Project. Of the £160 million in 2020/21, £130 million is capital funding for the acquisition or renovation of homes. £30 million is revenue funding to pay for tenancy-sustainment support, with further support funding available throughout the following years of the programme. In addition to accelerating this capital spend for investment in housing stock, the Government is also increasing the revenue support of the total programme by 37 per cent (£53 million) over the four-year lifetime of the programme to make sure that the rough sleepers have the support they need to stay off the streets for good.

Regarding other accommodation costs, individuals can approach their local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if they need additional support to meet rental costs. The Government has raised DHP funding by £40 million this year, bringing the total to £180 million. The Government has also increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents.

There are no changes in respect of the benefit cap. However, the below exemptions continue to apply:

• Universal Credit claimants with household earnings of at least £604 in an assessment period, which can include statutory sick pay, employer sick pay and earnings from self-employment, will continue to be exempt from the cap.
• In addition, Universal Credit claimants may benefit from a nine-month ‘grace period’ where their benefit will not be capped if they have a sustained work record. i.e. monthly earnings of at least £569 (£604 from April 2020) for the past year.
• Housing Benefit claimants who are entitled to Working Tax Credit will continue to be exempt from the cap.
• Exemptions will continue to apply for the most vulnerable claimants that are entitled to disability benefits and carer benefits.

Regarding those not eligible for housing benefit or other public funds, we are ensuring local authorities are supported, with £3.2 million in targeted funding to help support individuals who are sleeping rough off the streets, and an additional £3.2 billion provided to local authorities as part of the wider Government response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding has been provided to help local authorities to reduce risks to public health and to support individuals on the basis of need. The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times and expects local authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.

We are providing a further £262 million for substance misuse treatment and recovery services to meet the needs of rough sleepers and those at risk.

Answered by:
Luke Hall (Conservative)
4 June 2020