Refuges, hostels and sheltered housing will have to close.

[GarlicCake]

The Government's new LHA "Maxima" policy dictates that no person may receive more in Housing Benefit than their Local Housing Allowance entitlement.

This looks fair in principle - but social housing services for vulnerable people obviously include such things as staff, carers, alarm systems, common areas and kitchens, and disability adaptations. These charges are currently included with Housing Benefit (after vetting) but will not now be paid. Neither will contributions to building maintenance. Since LHA is set at the bottom 30% of local private rents, this means the standard of accommodations will also deteriorate with no additional funds.

The Government has said local authorities should fund any shortfalls through Discretionary Housing Payments. As we know, council funding is being cut left, right and centre while councils are simultaneously handed responsibility for costs which were previously funded centrally.

Even if central funding towards Discretionary Housing Payments goes up in line with inflation - there isn't a council in the land that can meet its Housing Benefit shortfalls through DHP. This means sheltered housing and refuges will close. People with disabilities will lose their care services. NO further disability adaptations will be made, no further accommodations will open, and the existing majority will have to close.

This does affect me - I'm in sheltered housing - as it affects anyone you know who needs adaptations or help in a council or HA home. And anyone needing to flee domestic violence, anyone in need of temporary accommodation and even people leaving hospital.

Here's a detailed explanation

and

an overview.

Since I need an AIBU - am I being reasonable to ask you to protest very strongly to your MP?

[GarlicCake]

Actually, a better AIBU - to wonder where all the money our Government receives in taxes & NI is going? Because less and less of it's being spent on looking after us.

[hefzi]

According to my most recent tax statement, the largest chunk of mine goes on "benefits" and the next largest chunk on the NHS; approximately 1/3 of what goes towards the NHS helps to service the National Debt.

But I know that's not what you meant!

Thanks for flagging this up - I didn't know about this at all, but agree that DHP already is insufficient in many council areas: I will follow up on it.

[HelenaDove]

Ive been reading his blog for a while OP. Its eye opening.

[Ta1kinPeece]

Scary, but typical of Gideon

His is the Government by the Rich for the Rich and screw the rest

[hefzi]

quiet haven't they borrowed something like £1 trillion more since Labour left power? It's staggering, but no-one ever mentions the fact that public spending is increasing massively and that the government are borrowing enormously to do so. Even so, servicing the ND came to only about 1/8th of my overall tax breakdown

[hennight]

Awful. I have been in touch with my MP already as DD has autism and is in supported living. She gets HB to cover everything right now and we would gladly top it up if the rate is cut, but not all families will be able to do so and we're worried the residential home might close altogether under these plans. It is run by a charity though and I hope there will be enough donations to keep these vital services afloat. Councils really should be prioritising their DHPs to cover the most vulnerable groups like this.