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Morning Briefing: DWP ‘push’ to help homeless people claim Universal Credit
The latest on Universal Credit, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home calls for social landlords’ pet policies to change
In the news
The Department for Work and Pensions has today published a guide aimed at making it easier for organisations to help homeless people claim Universal Credit. The Sun newspaper has written about this here, calling it a “fresh push” to help homeless people.
This is the latest in a week-long series of events to increase awareness of Universal Credit eligibility, as reported by Inside Housing yesterday.
Also on the topic of welfare reform this morning, The Guardian reports research by housing association Peabody showing 100,000 children are at risk of hardship this Christmas because of Universal Credit delays.
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The Northern Echo newspaper has an article about Universal Credit help sessions organised by Beyond Housing, which operates in the North East and North Yorkshire.
Meanwhile former minister Robert Halfon has told the BBC that making Universal Credit work is the Conservatives’ “number one priority”. This may come as a surprise given the understandably heavy focus on Brexit over the past few weeks and months.
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, is unhappy about the amount of affordable housing in a planned 393-home development in Deptford, south-east London, the News Shopper has reported. The offer of 10% affordable housing, all of which is shared ownership, is “unacceptable”, Mr Khan’s report has said.
London Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has said landlords’ not allowing pets is leading to hundreds of animals being given up. The well-known charity is calling on councils and housing associations to review their policies, the Evening Standard reports. A fortnight ago, Inside Housing reported on the differing pet policies have and the implications for tenant’s well-being. You can read the piece here.
The inquest into the death last year of former Welsh housing minister Carl Sargeant has resumed and the BBC has a report here of yesterday’s proceedings.
City of Edinburgh Council breached homeless laws 466 times by placing families in B&B accommodation for longer than the legal limit, research has revealed, Scottish Housing News has reported. The council has said that the number of families, and the length of their stay, in B&Bs has come down.
On social media
Matthew Gardiner, chief executive of Trafford Housing Trust, has started his secondment to L&Q as head of ideation, and he is on the search for inspiration:
Monday and a fresh start for me. Full time on secondment to @LQhomesmatter with a wide brief to bring new ideas to the world of #ukhousing Got a #fintech #proptech or other idea, or want to help make change happen - please get in touch.
— Matthew Gardiner (@LQIdeas)Monday and a fresh start for me. Full time on secondment to @LQhomesmatter with a wide brief to bring new ideas to the world of #ukhousing Got a #fintech #proptech or other idea, or want to help make change happen - please get in touch.
— Matthew Gardiner (@LQIdeas) November 26, 2018
What’s on
- The Chartered Institute of Housing is hosting a webinar on the Homes Fit for Habitation Bill from 11am
- The House of Lords Regenerating Seaside Towns Committee is holding an oral evidence session today at 3.20pm
