YMCA responds to the new funding model for supported housing announced today (Thursday 15 September) by the Government that will cap Housing Benefit paid to residents in supported housing at the one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate from 2019/20 and create a top-up fund to meet the additional costs involved in providing this form of housing.
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England, the national council of YMCAs across England and Wales, said: “YMCA welcomes today’s Government announcement and the consultation process that is about to get underway.
“As the largest voluntary sector provider of supported housing for young people*, it would be difficult for YMCA to over-emphasise how important this issue is for the long-term survival and sustainability of the sector. Supported housing providers have been in a state of uncertainty since the initial announcement was made in last year’s Autumn Statement and it is, therefore, positive to see greater clarity going forward.
“YMCA will be formally responding to the consultation but it particularly welcomes the commitments set out to protect levels of spending for supported housing and to fix rent levels to the one-bed Local Housing Allowance rate rather than the Shared Accommodation Rate.
“YMCA also welcomes the announcement that Government will ring fence the budgets being devolved to local authorities. We will be looking to work further with Government on any new arrangement to ensure the money ultimately ends up supporting young people to have a safe and secure place to live.”
*YMCA provides almost 11,000 beds every night for predominantly homeless young people