HB Rules for Night Shelters 'Have Not Changed'

The government has moved to clear up confusion around the payment of housing benefit to people staying in night shelters. The DWP and CLG have issued a joint statement making it clear that the current rules have not changed after a recent court judgement created confusion around the issue.

A judge in Wales found that housing benefit should not be paid to a night shelter as it did not provide a ‘home’. Uncertainty over how the ruling should be interpreted has led to night shelters across England having their funding withdrawn or reviewed. Read more on 24dash.

Direct Payment Projects Warn Of Creeping Arrears

The creeping of arrears in the Government’s direct payment demonstration projects is further evidence landlords will need to provide a range of payment options for tenants and systems that can quickly recover outstanding rent.  The findings from the first four months of the direct payment demonstration projects will be unsurprising to most - 8% of rent uncollected, a creeping of underpayments and a lack of understanding about financial products.  Download a copy of the Direct Payment Demonstration Project: Payment figures report from the DWP website.