The government has moved to allay fears that supported housing schemes will have funding cut after a rash of unusually high claims for cash to cover the separation of support costs from rent next year.
A taskforce has been set up to closely scrutinise high claims for transitional housing benefit (THB) designed to ease the move towards the Supporting People regime, a senior civil servant said this week.

It is believed the government may have to reduce next year’s Supporting People budget if claims for transitional housing benefit exceed what the government expected (HT 27 June, page 9).

Bert Provan, manager of the housing care and support division at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said: “Providers declaring accurate costs should have no fears about the level of Supporting People grant – but others beware.”

He denied that the government had encouraged providers to “maximise” the pot of THB funding to get money for new schemes. “This process is under the strict, audited control of the housing benefit sections locally, following detailed guidance issued by the Department for Work and Pensions,” he added.

A Department of Health circular will address issues surrounding high claims, Provan said.

  • The Housing Corporation is proposing a grant rate calculator for Supporting People schemes to help housing associations work out funding bids.

    But such a move would depend on ministerial approval and sufficient funding, corporation investment director Darshan Matheroo told delegates at this week’s National Housing Federation care and support conference at Warwick University.

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    Housing Today