Local housing allowance re-freeze
Government decisions to re-freeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, undermining homelessness grant funding and increasing risk.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#25 - Maintain Local Housing Allowance rates at 30th percentile of market rents annually
We recommend that the Government reconsider its position on re-freezing local housing allowance rates from 2025–26 onwards. Instead, the Government must maintain LHA rates at least at the 30th percentile of local market rents each year to ensure that those children and adults receiving benefits have sufficient access to rental properties and to prevent further escalation of pressure...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#22 - Freezing Local Housing Allowance rates amidst rising rents increases homelessness and evictions
It its written submission, Shelter made the case for permanently linking LHA rates to the real cost of renting. It suggested that freezing the LHA rate at a time of record rent increases would trap families in homelessness and 25 Qq 39-40, 42-43 26 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 (footnote 9) 27 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 28 Q 32...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#21 - DWP unable to quantify system-wide consequences of increasing Local Housing Allowance rates
We asked DWP what analysis it had done on the extent to which homelessness is impacted by LHA rates not allowing people to afford rents in their area. It explained that the decision, for example, to freeze the LHA rate again for 2025–26 was not taken in isolation. It went on to say that while increasing LHA rates...
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#20 - DWP acknowledges 45% of households face Local Housing Allowance shortfall amid rising rents
The LHA sets the maximum amount of housing support that claimants of housing benefit and universal credit can usually receive, to help with housing costs in the private rented sector.26 Since 2011, DWP has introduced welfare reforms designed to reduce overall welfare spending and incentivise benefit recipients to take up employment. These reforms, including periodically capping and freezing...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#4 - Set out DWP's detailed justification for Local Housing Allowance rates and temporary accommodation subsidy.
We are not convinced that, in setting Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has given due consideration to the impact on homelessness. Reforms to welfare benefits since 2011, including periodically capping and freezing LHA rates, have reduced the income households can derive from benefits in real terms. Some 45% of households now...
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#22 - Evaluate the link between welfare reforms, Local Housing Allowance, and homelessness prevention funding.
MHCLG and the Department for Work and Pensions must use the Inter- Ministerial Group as an opportunity to evaluate the link between welfare reforms and homelessness, particularly regarding LHA rates. We agree with the Government on the principle that, as far as possible, homelessness funding should be directed towards preventing homelessness in the first place. The Group should...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#21 - Re-freezing Local Housing Allowance rates risks undermining homelessness funding and increasing costs.
We are also concerned that the Government’s decision to re-freeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates from April 2025 will undermine the impact of additional homelessness grant funding. We have seen compelling evidence that this is a false economy. Re-freezing LHA rates is likely to leave many families unable to afford rising private sector rents, placing them at risk...
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#34 - Reconsider freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates and extend support for housing acquisition
As we recommended in our previous report, England’s Homeless Children, the Government should reconsider its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates and should extend its support for local authorities to acquire new housing stock through the Local Authority Housing Fund. (Recommendation, Paragraph 121)
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#40 - Assess Local Housing Allowance impact on pensioner living standards; include older people's housing in strategy.
The Government should assess the impact of the Local Housing Allowance on pensioners and whether it leaves them with the income needed for a minimum, dignified, socially acceptable standard of living and report back to the Committee by the end of 2025. The long-term housing strategy, which will set out how the Government will deliver its plan for...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
100match
#24 - Delay in increasing Local Housing Allowance rates exacerbated family housing crisis
We welcome the Government’s decision to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from 1 April 2024. However, this is an urgent matter that required the Government’s immediate action. It is therefore disappointing that the Government did not implement this change with greater speed following the Autumn Statement in November 2023. We...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
95match
#39 - Rising number of private renting pensioners are at increased risk of poverty from Local Housing Allowance.
The Pensions Policy Institute expects the number and proportion of pensioners renting privately to grow from around 6% now to 17% in 2041. As many as 400,000 households could become dependent on means-tested benefits. Pensioners renting privately are already at risk of poverty, with the operation of the Local Housing Allowance a contributing factor. (Conclusion, Paragraph 184)
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
94match
#17 - Make a commitment to annually uprate Local Housing Allowance to retain its 30th percentile value.
The evidence is clear that support for housing costs cannot be viewed in isolation from wider support provided through other benefits. When and if claimants experience a shortfall in rent, this can impact other parts of household budgeting and erode income otherwise intended for daily living costs. The Government should make a commitment to uprate annually Local Housing...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
93match
#31 - 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation
We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households find a permanent home they can afford. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93) 66
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
93match
#26 - 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation
We recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions unfreeze the subsidy rates by increasing the rate councils are reimbursed to match the current Local Housing Allowance rate. We also recommend that the Government conduct a detailed review of the subsidy rules to ensure they incentivise councils to source good-quality accommodation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82)
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
89match
#32 - 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation
We recommend that the Government restore the Local Housing Allowance rates to 30th percentile. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94)
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
89match
#25 - 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation
The rules that determine the amount of money councils can claim through the Housing Benefit subsidy system is restricting their ability to source good-quality temporary accommodation for households. The Department for Work and Pension’s ongoing freeze of the subsidy rates is putting an enormous financial strain on councils. The freeze in subsidy rates limits the range of affordable...
Matched on
terms: freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
89match
#34 - 2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
We call on the Ministry of Justice and prison leaders to prioritise timely notification of upcoming releases to local authorities and other relevant stakeholders, giving them the best chance to identify suitable accommodation among an already limited stock of options. Additionally, we call on the UK Government to review its decision to freeze Local Housing 72 Allowance Rates...
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
89match
#23 - Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19
The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the 30th percentile in cash terms only, and instead keep rates indexed at the 30th percentile long-term. This will help households across England to afford their rent. (Paragraph 94) Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19 39
Matched on
terms: allowance, freeze, housing, local
Committee recommendation
84match
#22 - Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Rented Sector
The failure of local housing allowance (LHA) rates to keep pace with market rents is quite obviously making the private rented sector even less affordable for many people who are only there because the social housing sector has been cut back and can no longer accommodate them. If the Government believes the PRS is the right place for...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
78match
#2 - 3rd Report: Building more social housing
We believe rents are only affordable when they do not exceed one third of household income. There are numerous ways to define this income and other related factors and the Government should identify its preferred method, in consultation with the Local Government Association, the National Housing Federation, Shelter, and other key players in the sector. It is crucial...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
78match
#23 - Local authorities face rising 'Temporary Accommodation Subsidy loss' from outdated LHA rates
LHA rates also impact the amount that local authorities can reclaim as a subsidy from DWP for temporary accommodation costs. The amount that can be reclaimed depends on a number of factors, including the January 2011 LHA rate appropriate to the size of the property. Given that the subsidy is based on an historic rate rather than being...
Matched on
terms: local
Committee recommendation
77match
#8 - Second Report - The Cost of Living
The reset of Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of rents was a welcome intervention at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase has since been eroded by rising housing costs. Some parts of the country are experiencing acute shortages of affordable housing, and we have heard this is leaving some unable to move...
Matched on
terms: allowance, housing, local
Committee recommendation
73match
#11 - 3rd Report: Building more social housing
It will take time to meet social housing need. In the short-term, we support the Government’s intention to improve the experience of tenants in the private rented sector, including on security of tenure, quality of housing, and affordability. We encourage the Government to bring forward legislative proposals as soon as possible. While councils need to be better at...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
69match
#24 - DWP temporary accommodation subsidy remains below full costs; MHCLG's consideration unclear
DWP explained that it sets the subsidy level using a rate that has never covered local authorities’ full costs, to incentivise them in their procurement of temporary accommodation. MHCLG added that it considers local authorities’ financial position with regard to the temporary accommodation subsidy when making decisions about the local government funding settlement, but it did not explain...
Matched on
terms: local
Committee recommendation
69match
#2 - Families face prolonged temporary accommodation stays amid England's severe housing crisis.
During our inquiry we have also heard that, for many families, life in temporary accommodation is far from ‘temporary’. In some cases, families spend years in temporary accommodation, stuck in limbo without the stability of permanent accommodation and knowing that their local authority may require them to move with little notice. The shortage of affordable housing across England...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#23 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
Mortgages are a vital part of the housing market in this country, and as such a necessary component of improving access to home ownership to first-time buyers. The increased availability of high-Loan to Value mortgages can make it possible for people to purchase homes at higher values, but it is a risk to borrowers if mortgage rates rise...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#17 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
There are mixed views about what makes housing affordable, and no statutory definition of affordable housing. The main official definition, in the National Planning Policy Framework, is not reflective of the housing needs in the country. While we support the recent separate identification of Social Rent as its own category of affordable housing, other forms of so-called affordable...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#24 - Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19
We also call on the Government to temporarily boost funding to discretionary housing payments to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of households who are receiving no extra income from welfare increases due to the benefit cap. This will further protect households from falling into rent arrears because of the pandemic.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#22 - Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package to support tenants to repay rent arrears caused by covid-19, having considered the examples in Scotland and Wales as well as many other international examples. This should be one of the Department’s top priorities. Several options have been proposed—we prefer modified discretionary housing payments—but what is important...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#6 - Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package—we prefer discretionary housing payments—to support tenants to repay rent arrears caused by covid-19, in consultation with the Local Government Association and appropriate bodies representing renters and landlords. We received an estimate that this package will likely cost between £200 and £300 million. Given the number of potential...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
68match
#25 - First Report - The future of the planning system in England
There is a case for reforming the Community Infrastructure Levy, but it is less clear that Section 106 agreements needed replacing. The Government should be mindful of the cumulative effect of the challenges posed to affordable housing provision by the proposed abolition of Section 106, the raising of the threshold for small sites exempt from affordable housing, and...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#24 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
Government must work with mortgage providers and regulators to ensure that renters cannot be denied a mortgage on the grounds of affordability despite evidence of consistent payment of rent at higher monthly values than they would be paying in mortgage repayments. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103) 57
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#20 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
The government is right to prioritise social rent as the main form of truly affordable housing, but this should not lead to it entirely neglecting intermediate housing such as Rent to Buy and Discount Market Sales, which are intended to benefit those who do not need social rent homes but still cannot afford homes on the open market....
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#19 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
Shared ownership is a useful tool for getting people into home ownership, but it is not a long-term affordable option for many of the buyers to whom it is marketed. We welcome the government’s announcement of improvements to the shared ownership model, but it must not be the primary form of affordable housing offered through government programmes like...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#18 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
The government should clearly and officially define affordable housing in a way that can be used for all relevant purposes, not just as part of the planning system. The definition should refer to local average income levels instead of just the local market values of rent or house prices. The definition should acknowledge the different affordability pressures faced...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#16 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
Government must make it easier for councils to take control of empty properties in their local authorities. This should include clarifying councils’ existing powers, such as Empty Dwelling Management Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders; making the existing powers less risky by amending the conditions that must apply for councils to take and give up control of empty homes;...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#15 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
There are at least hundreds of thousands of residential properties that are currently empty, many of which have been empty for many months or years. While the number of empty homes is much smaller than the total number of new homes that the government intends to build, bringing them back into residential use (either to sell or as...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#2 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
The affordability of home ownership is a complicated and multivariant problem, with no easy or straightforward solutions. Demand-side solutions cannot work in isolation (as they often counterproductively increase house prices as a secondary effect), but supply-side solutions also are not sufficient (homebuilding cannot happen at the necessary speed to have a significant effect). While the affordability of home...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
21-002-678 - London Borough of Enfield
Summary: X complains about how the Council dealt with their housing situation. They consider the Council failed to provide appropriate housing to meet their needs which meant they lived in unsuitable and unstable accommodation. There was fault by the Council. The Council should make a payment to X in recognition of the injustice caused.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
24-019-495 - Arun District Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of private housing disrepair issues in her property since 2023. Some issues are late, others fall outside our jurisdiction or carry appeal rights.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
24-019-324 - London Borough of Enfield
Summary: The Council was at fault for delay providing Ms X and her children temporary accommodation, failing to consider its main housing duty, and giving Ms X insufficient time to consider an offer. This meant a delay in Ms X moving back to the area where her support network was, and it disrupted her children’s education. The Council...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
25-007-516 - North Yorkshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of Mrs X’s housing application. There is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
25-002-953 - Durham County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her reports of disrepair in her private rented housing because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
25-002-635 - Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his housing register application because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
25-005-354 - Manchester City Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a housing enforcement fine as it was issued by a court and we therefore have no legal remit to become involved.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
25-008-584 - London Borough of Croydon
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a housing application. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#14 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
MHCLG should initiate a review into different mixes of home around the country, including by tenure, type and price, to assess what impact different mixes have on local absorption rates. This review should consider developments for sale since the start of this Parliament and be updated as new developments are completed and go on sale. MHCLG should use...
Matched on
terms: housing, local
Committee recommendation
64match
#12 - 2nd Report – Affordability of Home Ownership
While it is right for planning decisions to be driven primarily by local authorities through the production of local plans, MHCLG still has an important role in ensuring that new homes being built are sufficiently varied by type, tenure, size and price, in line with the government’s national aims and with best practice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 67)
Matched on
terms: housing, local
LGO / SPSO decision
62match
PSOW-202100017 - Rhondda Housing Association Ltd
Mr X complained that Rhondda Housing Association Ltd (“the Association”) had written to him following a complaint that it had received and had made accusations about him that he said he was innocent of. He said that he had done nothing to breach his tenancy agreement. Mr X also complained that the Association had not responded to his...
Matched on
terms: housing
LGO / SPSO decision
62match
PSOW-202100028 - Charter Housing Association (Part of the Pobl Group)
Miss X complained that the Association had not carried out the required repairs to her property and had not responded to her complaint in a timely manner. The Ombudsman was concerned about the significant delays Miss X had experienced in having repairs carried out, the delays receiving a response and that she had been inconvenienced by the organisation’s...
Matched on
terms: housing