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Welfare Reform Impact on Housing

Karl Thomas Head of Welfare Reform (Housing) and Rent Officers Wales. A better private rented sector for Wales 25 September 2013. Welfare Reform Impact on Housing. Housing benefit is not devolved Responsibility of the Department of Works and Pensions.

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Welfare Reform Impact on Housing

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  1. Karl Thomas Head of Welfare Reform (Housing) and Rent Officers Wales A better private rented sector for Wales 25 September 2013 Welfare ReformImpact on Housing

  2. Housing benefit is not devolved Responsibility of the Department of Works and Pensions. We have an interest in the impact it has on our devolved policies/programmes including housing Welfare Reform Tenants

  3. Spare Room Subsidy • Social rented sector working age tenants who are over accommodated will have their allowances restricted to their household size • Replicates the private rented sector • Extra discretionary housing payments - £25 million across UK – fostering and adaptations (disability)

  4. Spare Room SubsidyOptions • Tenants downsize • Take in a lodger • Work extra hours • Landlords – re-designate bedrooms

  5. Benefit Cap • Change of timetable • £500 per week for families (£350 per week if single and no children) • 1100 claimants in Wales with an average loss of £68.00 per week

  6. Discretionary housing payments

  7. Universal Credit • When? • Electronic claims • Direct payments • Named individual in household • Calendar monthly in arrears • Tested in Torfaen • Arrears increased • Financially astute • Rapid repayment • Local Housing Allowance Targeted Affordability Funding

  8. Service Charges Why? • Claimant needs to identify costs and type of eligible service charges When? • Universal credit

  9. Welsh Government (Housing) Actions • £750,000 this year to local authorities to support local action. • Bedroom Tax report to inform other action. • “Houses into Homes” programme – £10 million of new investment used in its first year to provide loans to help bring 450 empty properties back into use.

  10. Welsh Government (Housing) Actions • 1 – 2 bedroom properties - additional £20m provided to help individuals and families that have been adversely affected. • “Houses into Homes” - additional £10m will bring around 500 more empty properties back into use. • Legacy – loans recycled to maximise the number of empty properties that are returned to use Additional £30 Million

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