Shelter response to the PM announcement on LHA

Polly Neate, CEO at Shelter said: “We warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that Local Housing Allowance rates will not apply to social rented homes but she shouldn’t stop there.

“Although this is a welcome reprieve for social renters, especially those in supported housing, it exposes the stark inequality and hardship faced by millions of private renters. After years of crippling welfare cuts, private renters who rely on housing benefit to help them pay their rent are now facing impossible choices. Many are struggling to put food on the table and falling into debt, ultimately they risk being made homeless.

“If the government wants to stop the rising tide of despair facing hard-up renters, it must abandon the freeze on Local Housing Allowance for private renters in the Autumn Budget.”