Purpose

Increase in rent in temporary accommodation
properties to reflect increases in Local Housing Allowance
Levels.

Decision

The Executive Member for the Environment, Community
and Housing approved the proposed increase in rents.
 

Reasons for the decision

i.      
Temporary accommodation rents have not been increased for at least
4 years due to the freezing of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in
2020.

 
ii.    
The LHA levels were unfrozen in April 2024 with increases in all
eligible household sizes.
 
iii.   
Increasing the rent levels and including additional property
purchases made recently, is expected to increase income by
approximately £20,000 per month once fully implemented.
 
iv.   
At least 94% of all current temporary accommodation tenants are in
receipt of full housing allowance which will cover the increase in
rent, therefore most of our customers will not face any discernible
increase in rent levels

Alternative options considered

Not increasing the rent will
result in a loss of income that would otherwise be available to
support the council’s expenditure.