Discretionary Housing Payments

(asked on 28th October 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to split the allocation of funding for Discretionary Housing Payment into two tranches in 2022-23.


Answered by
David Rutley Portrait
David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 4th November 2021

As part of the process for DHP funding allocation, we carry out a written consultation with local authorities. The consultation for 2021-22 funding was carried out in early 2021.

Throughout the pandemic we closely monitored local authorities’ Discretionary Housing Payments spending to ensure funds could be targeted appropriately. This was particularly important when furlough and the ban on evictions ended and we reserved part of the funding until mid-year to ensure funds could be targeted to the areas with the greatest need.

At this time, no decisions have been made on the allocation methodology for 2022. We have received representations from local authorities with regards to the split allocation and this feedback will be taken into account when considering future allocation methodology. We will also evaluate evolving demands and trends based on the information local authorities provide on expenditure.

Since 2011, the government has provided over £1 billion of Discretionary Housing Payments funding for local authorities to support those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit who require further financial assistance towards housing costs.

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