We provide supported housing fopr people with a mental health problem / learning disability (i.e. are all "vulnerable") but we are not a RSL (registered social landlord). Under the Local Housing Allwance whereby HB is paid to tenants rather than direct to landlords, we are concerned that we / tenants may not be able to arrange for HB to continue to come to us. This would be a nightmare in terms of arrears management and ensuring that tenants pay their rent etc. Does anyone know about how LEA's will be deciding who continues to get their HB paid to their landlords and who will get the benefit themselves?

As the proposals currently stand, "exempt accommodation" does not fall to be dealt with under the LHA, but will instead continue under the current arrangements.

does anyone know what is included in the category "exempt accommodation"?

In order meet the "exempt accommodation" exception, in the context of "supported living", there are two basic requirements.

Firstly; the accommodation provider (i.e. normally the L/L) MUST be one of the following:

- voluntary organisation; OR
- housing association (whether RSL or not); OR
- registered charity; OR
- non-metropolitan county council


Secondly; care, or support, or supervision (CSS) MUST be provided by either:

- the accommodation provider; OR
- a person on behalf of the accommodation provider


If the above criteria are not met, the "exempt accommodation" exception is not fulfilled.

Hope this helps.

Hi,

I thought it may reassure you to know that Brighton & Hove where I work have been running the LHA scheme for several years now, and it has not really caused any problems for my clients, all of whom are vulnerable.

I have found that generally the HB staff have been very helpful and willing to continue to pay directly to the landlord with something like a letter from myself explaining that they have mental health issues and struggle to manage their money.

Hope this helps!

lots of councils have published info re the circs in which they'd pay lha to the landlord ... see, for example

http://www.trafford.gov.uk/cme/live/cme3590.htm?scheme_name=lgnl&scheme_category_id=200008