Today (23rd October 2021) the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities has announced a £65m support package to support low income earners in rent arrears. It comes on top of the £500m Household Support Fund announced in September. Councils will be asked to determine the best way to support each household on a case by case basis. 

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We of course welcome this funding that should help keep some of those most at risk of homelessness off the streets this winter. It is now vital councils use this funding to help people most at risk of losing their home. 

"But with almost a million households across the UK in rent arrears and the cost of living rising rapidly, it is impossible for this funding to meet the demand we face. To prevent homelessness in the first place, we desperately need the UK government to ensure that housing benefit covers the true cost of renting by unfreezing the Local Housing Allowance." 

-ENDS-