October 2017

Transferring accommodation and the Social Sector Size Criteria

26 October 2017

Housing Rights recently assisted a couple who were transferring between social tenancies and stood to be negatively impacted by the Social Sector Size Criteria. Housing Rights helped to ensure that the couple made their move without experiencing financial loss.

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Social Tenancies, Practical tips, Welfare Reform

Prime Minister announces LHA cap will not be applied to social housing

26 October 2017

The Prime Minister has announced that the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap will not be applied to social housing.

In Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 25^th October, the Prime Minister announced that the capping of social rents at the LHA rate will be scrapped:

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Benefits, Welfare Reform, Policy

Conversion of Support for Mortgage Interest to a loan

13 October 2017

Regulations converting Support for Mortgage Interest to a loan have recently been passed. We take a look at how the new payments of SMI will operate for claimants.

Loans for mortgage interest

All payments of SMI made on or after 6th April 2018 will take the form of a loan.

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Benefits, Repossession, Welfare Reform, Affordability

Average rent price in NI increases at double the UK rate

10 October 2017

According to HomeLet rental index for September 2017, the average rents in Northern Ireland have increased at double the UK rate over the past 12 months.

The survey shows the average rent in Northern Ireland in September 2017 rose 4.3% to £636, from £610 in September 2016.

Housing Rights Policy and Practice Officer, Sarah Corrigan, is concerned by the news.

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Research, Private Tenancies, Affordability

Housing Rights responds to draft Prisons 2020 Strategy

10 October 2017

Housing Rights has responded to the Prisons’ Service “Prisons 2020” discussion document, which aims to “provide an efficient, effective, modern and affordable service which is focused on the development of staff and capable of rehabilitating people in custody.”

Housing solutions for vulnerable young people

10 October 2017

Homelessness is experienced differently by young people than by adults: the causes and conditions are different, so the responses and solutions must also be different.

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Minority Groups, Research, Homelessness, Affordability

Struggling Universal Credit claimants signposted to advance payments

9 October 2017

Universal Credit claimants will typically wait six weeks before receiving their first payment. While those who have applied immediately after leaving employment may be able to sustain themselves during this six-week period with their final payment of wages.