'LHA cap' could force two in three refuges to close

Women’s Aid surveyed refuge operators to discover the financial implications of capping benefits for socail tenants in line with LHA levels.

This would leave many unable to cover the additional costs of running refuges, much of which are covered through housing benefit.

The cap will limit housing benefits to LHA levels – which can be no higher than the lowest 30% of market rents locally.

The Women’s Aid survey found that 87% of refuges in England would not be able to continue with their current level of provision, while 69% in Wales would be forced to close and 100% would have to reduce provision.

An Inside Housing survey in January revealed 95% of supported housing providers would have to wind up some schemes, while 27% would have to close all of them.

Under the housing benefit cap, the income of one refuge in England would reduce from around £300 to £60 per room per week, placing the refuge in an untenable financial position, Women’s Aid said.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Women’s Aid England, said: “The government has shown great commitment to refuges over the past two years.

“Ministers have really listened and understood the vital role they play, and have invested millions of pounds to keep them open. It is simply extraordinary to undo all this good work now. We urge ministers to reconsider.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We fully support the valuable work carried out by domestic abuse refuges and other supported accommodation providers. That is why we deferred this measure for this sector while we conduct a review to ensure it is sustainable in the long-term.

“We will continue working with providers to ensure the right protections are in place and will set out our plans in the autumn.”