CHC responds to funding plans for short term accommodation

The UK Government has this morning confirmed that housing benefit will be kept in place for all those living in supported housing. This means that proposals to devolve funding for short term accommodation in Wales, and proposals for a Sheltered Rent in England have been dropped.

Our members have been clear this is the most effective way to protect services

We warmly welcome today’s announcement, which ends a three year period of uncertainty for providers and landlords of the forty thousand units of supported accommodation across Wales. They have now regained the confidence to sustain and develop life changing services.

We strongly opposed the proposal to localise housing costs funding for supported accommodation and we are heartened that UK Government has listened to our call.

The proposed review of funding for housing related support in England is similarly welcome, acknowledging the impact of the loss of the ring fence on Supporting People in England.

In Wales, we are continuing to work with Welsh Government and partners to secure housing related support funding under the proposals laid out in the Housing Matters report.

Responding to today’s announcement, Community Housing Cymru Chief Executive, Stuart Ropke said:

“Supported accommodation in Wales includes homeless hostels, women’s refuges and sheltered accommodation for older people. The services support people off the streets, to live independently and save lives.

"Funding housing costs through Housing Benefit will give landlords and support providers the confidence to continue to sustain and develop housing schemes, ensuring that the residents are receiving the best accommodation possible.

"We must now ensure funding for support is equally protected, through the creation of a Welsh Homelessness & Housing Related Support grant as we have proposed alongside nine other organisations in our Housing Matters report.”