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Nations uncertain over supported housing rent cap

Housing sectors in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are still yet to receive confirmation over whether the government’s proposed sheltered rent policy will apply to them.

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Picture: Getty
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Nations uncertain over supported housing rent cap #ukhousing

Providers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland facing uncertainty over supported housing funding #ukhousing

Nations unsure if they will be subject to sheltered rent policy #ukhousing

Ministers are currently consulting on a three-pronged approach to supported housing funding.

Part of the plan includes a “sheltered rent” for extra care and sheltered housing schemes.

According to the consultation document, this will be a “type of social rent” which “acknowledges the higher costs of these types of housing compared to general needs housing”.

It will be calculated based on capped formula rent, plus or minus 10% flexibility with another amount for service charges.


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Will Atkinson, policy officer at Community Housing Cymru, which represents the social housing sector in Wales, said: “UK government has laid out plans for funding of sheltered and extra care accommodation in England, with a ‘sheltered rent’ proposed to control costs.

“We are seeking clarity over how the proposed changes to funding for older persons’ accommodation will affect tenants and housing associations in Wales from 2020.”

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations also said they were yet to receive official confirmation that they will not be subject to the policy.

Inside Housing understands that providers in the nations do not expect the sheltered rent element to apply to them as social rent policies are devolved – unlike welfare and benefits, which will remain linked to supported housing funding.

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said the government would not be making a statement until after the consultation period.

The consultation closes on 23 January, with the government expected to respond around three months after that date.

The consultation document states: “We will continue to work with the devolved administrations to ensure the future model works for Scottish and Welsh supported housing.”

Final changes to supported housing funding will come into effect after April 2020.

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