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Impact of Housing benefit changes on supported housing and older people

Impact of Housing benefit changes on supported housing and older people. Hanover’s perspective Gillian Connor & Sharon Moore. What the proposals will mean: End of exempt accommodation rules DWP take control of supported housing benefit payments

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Impact of Housing benefit changes on supported housing and older people

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  1. Impact of Housing benefit changes on supported housing and older people Hanover’s perspective Gillian Connor & Sharon Moore

  2. What the proposals will mean: End of exempt accommodation rules DWP take control of supported housing benefit payments Registered providers remain protected - more or less than now? Overall impact

  3. For providers: Income risks Possibility of rent referral Lettability Management cost pressures Effect on future development Direct payments? Key risks and issues

  4. For residents: Shortfalls in HB entitlement Inability to pay rent Increased confusion and uncertainty Different funding streams (especially for specialist group) DWP centralised call centres Under occupation restrictions Direct payments? Key risks and issues

  5. Extra care is within conventional supported housing: Clear definitions of varied sheltered housing models needed Single national flat rate top up is unworkable: Flexible framework to incorporate differences System must take current rent regimes into account: Rent restructuring/affordable rents Service charges! Under occupation of retirement housing: Singles and couples in 2 bedrooms may be penalised Removal of incentive to downsize Hanover’s 4 key responses

  6. Existing extra care estate: Gross rents queried at annual rent review in 2011 New scheme nearby with lower charges LA consulted rent officer informally before actual referral Indicative rents of £143 - £158pw; half actual rents LA decided not to refer, but Restricted 2 bedroom rents to 1 bedroom HB level instead. Eventually persuaded LA to accept actual rents to retain scheme viability and strategic aims. Case study 1

  7. New extra care estate: Gross rents queried after scheme opened in 2009, despite agreement when originally commissioned LA did not consult rent officer or refer rents, but Restricted 2 bedroom rents to 1 bedroom HB level anyway. Lengthy negotiation to persuade LA to accept actual rents based on everyone in a 2 bedroom flat having a clear medical need. Hanover had to stress part scheme played in preventative care agenda and meeting local housing need. Case study 2

  8. Gillian Connor Head of External Affairs Gillian.connor@hanover.org.uk 01784 446140 Sharon Moore Welfare Rights Adviser Sharon.moore@hanover.org.uk 01457 810003 www.hanover.org.uk Contact Details

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