LHA Capping + Supported Accommodation

UC Advice & Advocacy, in collaboration with Mark Rodgers (www.mrassociates.org) have organised a seminar in the Abode Hotel, Glasgow, on 3rd October 2017 which will focus on the Government’s plans to alter the way Housing Benefit is assessed, using the LHA scheme as its yardstick. We also will be addressing the plans for Supported Accommodation (also known as “Exempt & Specified Accommodation”) which involve, replacing the current “eligible service charge” scheme, with a discretionary scheme, involving additional payments to the appropriate LHA awards, drawn from a cash-limited top-up fund. The combined effect of these changes, scheduled to apply from April 2019, will have a dramatic affect on the way supported accommodation services are funded and introduce new criteria that providers will need to meet to secure the funds needed to continue delivering such vital services.

If you are a registered housing association, registered charity, a not-for-profit body, managing agent or local authority working within the supported accommodation sector, these seminars are designed for you. It is essential you understand what the government is proposing and start planning for the changes.

The seminar, starting at 10am and finishing around 3.30 pm, will cover the following:

• What is Local Housing Allowance and how does if differ from Housing Benefit?
  • Role of the Rent Officer, Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA) & 30th Percentile
  • What's meant by Size Criteria, “Maximum Rent”, “Eligible Rent”
  • What's a “Benefit Unit”, under 35’s, Shared Accommodation Rate and the exemptions
  • Which tenants are likely to be affected and when will this happen?
• What is ‘exempt accommodation’?
  • Who must provide the care, support or supervision?
  • What it means to provide care, support or supervision
  • How landlords can, in advance, set their rents to cover the costs of rent and services in exempt accommodation
• The proposed changes to exempt accommodation from 2019
  • What the proposed changes are?
  • How they might affect your project(s)
  • How to plan for the changes?
  • Each session will be very informal with delegate participation encouraged.
  • By the end of the sessions, you’ll be much better informed and equipped to plan and develop strategies designed to mitigate the worst effects of these planned changes.

About the presenters

Mark Rodgers is one of the UK’s leading experts regarding the housing benefit scheme as it applies to supported housing. Having previously managed supported housing services himself. Mark started MR Associates (www.mrassociates.org) in 2000 to help other organisations, charities and not-for-profits navigate the complexities associated with housing benefit. Since then, he has provided an outstanding independent advisory service to the UK supported housing sector as well as other professional services including training. His in-depth knowledge of housing benefit legislation has brought him into contact with organisations all over the UK in an advisory role. He has helped establish scores of new supported housing projects and has represented hundreds of organisations in meetings with local authorities and before social security tribunals.

Bill Irvine was Head of Benefits, Revenues & Advice Services at one of the UK’s largest councils; acted as local government advisor to the Housing Benefit Standing Committee, Westminster; for many years acted as a welfare rights advocate; tutored on HB/Rent Arrears issues, on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Housing, for many years. He currently operates UC Advice & Advocacy Ltd acting as representative of tenants, Private Landlords and Housing Associations in their respective HB/LHA/UC negotiations with DWP/councils and, rather uniquely, represents them in disputes before First and Upper-tier tribunals. He also writes regular articles on UC/LHA related topics and responds to Landlord’s queries and complaints via various web-based forums, including his own website. Bill was one of the principal witnesses at the DWP Select Committee, Westminster hearings, relating to Local Housing Allowance in January 2010, where some of his recommendations were adopted as “Good practice” in subsequently produced DWP Guidance.

Dates

3rd October, 2017 - Glasgow

Venue - Glasgow

ABode Glasgow 129 Bath St Glasgow G2 2SZ

Book a place

The cost per delegate is £150 inclusive of buffet lunch. Each delegate will also receive a copy of the Powerpoint Presentation which includes links to other related websites covering the topic. If you would like to book a place(s) please use the booking form.

More Information

If you have any questions about the content of this course, please feel free to contact us.