Question No: 2024/4276
Question (Thomas Turrell AM) 19th December 2024
The Housing Benefit subsidy councils receive to help fund temporary accommodation has been frozen since 2020 at 90% of the 2011 Local Housing Allowance rates. What meetings have you had with the Government to support local councils who are spending £4 million a day on soaring temporary accommodation costs?
Answer (Sadiq Khan) 23rd December 2024
I recognise the negative impact the freezing of Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation (TA) at 90 per cent of 2011 Local Housing Allowance rates has had on London local authority budgets. This has been one of several issues my team has raised with government in the development of their cross government ending homelessness strategy.
To address the temporary accommodation crisis, changes to the welfare benefit system must be accompanied by an increase in affordable homes in London which is why I am committed to delivering my affordable homes programme and have pledged to build 40,000 new council homes. As of July 2024, funding has been allocated for 205 homes under my Council Housing Acquisitions programmes which will support boroughs to purchase homes for TA. I am also supporting the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill which I hope will provide private renters with greater security and slow demand for temporary accommodation. My officers are working closely with London Councils on plans to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in London.
