Housing Benefit is a social security benefit which helps with housing costs in social housing and privately rented accommodation. The UK Government is responsible for setting policy and benefit rates in Wales and Local Authorities are responsible for assessing benefit entitlement and making payments.
Housing Benefit and the way in which it is administered by councils plays an important role in supporting people with their housing costs and providing a stable and secure home.
Housing benefit rates have a significant impact on the affordability of housing and levels of homelessness in Wales. They also have a significant impact on the ability of Authorities to prevent and respond to homelessness, whether it is through housing options services, social lettings agencies or providing temporary accommodation.
The WLGA along with other UK Local Authority representative bodies meet regularly with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to represent the interests of Wales in policy development.
A summary of the changes to housing benefit April 2011- 2014 is provided by the Welsh Government: See Web links
For more information contact: Sue Finch