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Welfare Reform

Welfare Reform. Programme of change. April 13 Under-occupation rule in the social rented sector Working age only 14% reduction: under-occupying by 1 bedroom 25% reduction: under-occupying by 2 bedrooms or more Council Properties

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Welfare Reform

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  1. Welfare Reform

  2. Programme of change • April 13 Under-occupation rule in the social rented sector • Working age only • 14% reduction: under-occupying by 1 bedroom • 25% reduction: under-occupying by 2 bedrooms or more • Council Properties • Estimated 23k working age tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit. • Estimated 7,207 (working age) claims affected • Estimated annual average decrease in HB per claim £543.67 (£11.31 per week) • Registered Social Landlords (RSL) • Estimated 11,071 RSL properties in receipt of Housing Benefit • Estimated 6,767 are of working age • Approximately 1,346 RSL tenants affected

  3. Rooms required compared to actual number of rooms (LCC tenants only)

  4. Under occupation in social housing • No.s affected – council and housing association tenants • Deductions as % of eligible rent, not of HB • Impact in different areas of the city • Particular property types – 2 bedroom multi story flats (rehousing children) and larger houses

  5. Extra bedroom at point of letting permitted for: • unborn child • access to children • disabled person needing extra space • medical reasons • foster children • lettings of some property types – 2 bed multi story flats

  6. Under occupation over lifetime of tenancy • due to changes in the household composition • reaching age thresholds which affect occupancy • children grow up and leave home • death

  7. Under occupation: warning tenants • Revenue and Benefits have written to all tenants likely to be affected • Working age, council / RSL tenants, under occupying and in receipt of HB • Opportunity to correct details of occupancy • Followed up by contact from landlord • FAQs leaflet on Leeds City Council website

  8. Options: make up shortfall • Support into work / increase hours • Take in a lodger – but need landlord permission • May have to collect rent from lodger / non-dependent deduction • Discretionary Housing Payment – policy to be reviewed, foster carers and disabled people requiring adaptations in their property

  9. Options: move to a smaller property • Mutual exchange – preferred option • Leeds Homes Register • Council’s under occupation incentive scheme has been suspended • Mismatch of property types – insufficient 1 bedroom accommodation • New local lettings policies? – employment • Private rented sector

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