06 August 2004
Social landlords that provide temporary accommodation have been assured that housing benefit will not be replaced with a new allowance paid directly to the tenant.
At least two major housing associations were threatening to stop offering temporary accommodation if the local housing allowance, currently being trailed in the private sector, replaced housing benefit. They claimed it would be bound to increase rent arrears.
But Hazel Hobbs, of the Department for Work and Pensions' housing support division, said: 'Temporary accommodation is being considered separately from the local housing allowance changes.'
PFaug2004
