Next Workshop:
Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.
Full-Day Workshop: (9:40 - 4:30)
Workshop Fee: £280 (No VAT)
Book 3 places and receive a 4th place FREE.
Also available for In-House Bookings for individual organisations, either On-Site or Online.
Housing Benefit For Temporary Accommodation
Procurement Models, HB Entitlement & Subsidy.
One of the largest costs for local authorities is procurement of temporary accommodation for homeless applicants whom the Council is obliged to accommodate under the housing Act 1996 or the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. Limits on HB subsidy prevent the Council from recouping its procurement costs. But innovative procurement coupled with thorough knowledge of the subsidy regime can mitigate those losses. This Workshop provides thorough, detailed analysis of HB entitlement and subsidy for various different procurement models, revealing some little-known routes to navigate the subsidy regime.
We begin by summarising the duties of local authorities under homelessness legislation and looking at the definitions of “temporary accommodation” that are used both to determine whether the charges attract HB or a Universal Credit housing element, and to fix the amount of subsidy when HB is paid. Next, we examine the different ways in which temporary accommodation is procured, focussing on the HB and UC definitions: Some models meet the definitions of temporary accommodation for both UC and subsidy purposes, others are temporary accommodation for UC purposes but not for HB subsidy purposes. Relevant factors include the duration of the lease, if the property is leased; whether the accommodation satisfies the definition of “board and lodging accommodation”; and whether it is located within the Council’s area or out of Borough.
Of course, maximising Central Government subsidy is only half the picture: The claimant’s entitlement to HB needs to be taken into account as well. We look at the circumstances in which an HB award might be exposed to the “bedroom tax” and/or the overall household benefit cap; and the Workshop will show, apart from those two issues, there are no other restrictions on the amount of HB that could coherently apply in temporary accommodation.
The Workshop proceeds to examine a number of frequently asked questions / key issues including:
· The exclusion of “exempt accommodation” from both the UC and HB definitions of “temporary accommodation”. In what circumstances might a temporary accommodation setting be exempt accommodation?
· Temporary accommodation settings that are also “specified accommodation” (other than exempt): Which takes precedence?
· Local authority hostels and the definition of “board and lodging” for subsidy purposes.
· Overlap with other regulatory regimes in England:
o Local authorities as registered providers of social housing, and the implications of the rent standard;
o Housing Revenue Accounts
· Optimum lease duration for both subsidy and social housing regulation purposes.
· Out of Borough placements: Which LA administers the HB award and how does this affect subsidy?
· When does temporary accommodation cease to be temporary accommodation for HB/UC purposes:
o Clarifying the meaning of the word “discharge”
o Assured shorthold tenancies.
By the end of the day we aim to equip delegates with the knowledge and confidence to make significant savings to the cost of procuring temporary accommodation.
Presented by Peter Barker, a hugely experienced trainer, appeals presenter and submission writer. He started as a local authority appeals officer in the 1980s, and for many years he has represented local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland at both First-Tier and Upper Tribunal level. Tribunal Judges frequently comment on the high quality of Peter’s submissions. He combines a wealth of first-hand experience with expert knowledge of adjudication legislation and has a real enthusiasm for the topic.
Topics Covered:
Overview Of Temporary Accommodation
o Duties under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and Part 2 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014
o Definitions: For UC housing element and for HB subsidy purposes
o Amount of subsidy where the subsidy definition applies
Procurement Models
o Owned, leased, licensed
o Board and Lodging accommodation
o Housing association as intermediary
o In Borough / Out of Borough
o Provision of support
Key Issues
o Bedroom tax
o Benefit cap
o Overlap with exempt and other specified accommodation
§ Council hostels
§ Registered HA providing supported temporary accommodation
o Regulation of social housing in England
§ How temporary accommodation is affected by the rent standard
o The Housing Revenue Account in England
o Optimum lease duration
o Out-of-Borough placements:
§ Which LA administers HB?
§ How much subsidy?
Contact us for In-House booking information for this topic.
We are always pleased to arrange most of our Workshops, such as this one, for staff from an individual organisation. Please email us with your requirements for details.