Dan Peters 20 January 2023

Council calls for housing benefits funding review

Council calls for housing benefits funding review image
Image: Asti Mak/Shutterstock.com.

Councillors at Telford and Wrekin Council have called for an urgent review of the Government’s funding provision for housing benefits and the way they are issued to local authorities.

Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities Cllr Paul Watling put forward a motion at a full council meeting yesterday urging the Government to reconsider the way it funds housing benefit which is allocated to supported housing.

The councillor won approval for the motion aimed at ensuring that the council is fully reimbursed for housing cost payments it makes on the Government’s behalf.

Councils are not fully subsidised for the housing benefit they pay to some types of accommodation, where often the rent can be significantly higher than the amount charged for mainstream accommodation.   

The Government has acknowledged that the current system for the funding of additional housing costs associated with supported accommodation is in urgent need of reform. While many government reviews over the last 10 years have concluded that the whole scheme needs urgent overhaul, there has been no action to date.

Cllr Watling said: ‘Over the last decade we have seen the number of units of supported accommodation rise significantly and the average housing costs increase exponentially. 

‘For 2022-23, we forecast that these schemes will directly cost the council and the local taxpayer over £900,000.  

‘Therefore we call on the Government to reconsider housing benefit payments which are linked to supported housing to ensure that Telford & Wrekin Council and other councils are fully reimbursed for the housing cost payments which we are obliged to make.’

Seconding the motion, Cllr Angela McClements said: ‘The supported housing sector is only set to expand further in the future, and the financial impact on councils is untenable in the current economic climate so we strongly urge the Government to review this funding provision.’

This article was originally published by The MJ (£).

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner