Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the Local Housing Allowance.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Government has acted swiftly to protect renters and ensure that those who need it are able to access support and remain in their homes.
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate has been increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants. This means that 30 per cent of properties in each broad rental market area across England, Scotland and Wales are now within the LHA rate.
This change will directly benefit over a million households who will see an increase in support of on average £600 this year. Further government investment brings the total increase in welfare support to almost £6.5 billion.
Action has been taken to suspend evictions during the lockdown. Government guidance is also clear that landlords should provide support to tenants who may be experiencing financial difficulties.
No-one should lose their home during these extraordinary times and those who were already homeless should not have to return to the streets. Since the start of the pandemic over 90 per cent of known rough sleepers have been offered accommodation and Dame Louise Casey will be leading a taskforce to support rough sleepers into long-term accommodation.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards, Alister
