Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Civic Services]

This report seeks Cabinet to approve the Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2020/21 as the means by which the Council will determine how the DHP funds will be allocated during the 2020/21 financial year having regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment.

 The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced this report which sought Cabinet to approve the Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2020/21 as the means by which the Council would determine how the DHP funds would be allocated during the 2020/21 financial year having regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment.

The Cabinet Member noted that central government attacks on the living standards and security of the least well off people continue to make the lives of Haringey’s families on low incomes much harder. The report therefore drew members attention to the proposed benefit cuts due to take effect in 2020/21, including the lowered benefit cap, that would significantly reduce the amount of Housing Benefit paid to households that are living in Haringey and/or in temporary accommodation. This would put significant pressure on Haringey’s DHP budget in addition to the ongoing impact of previous ‘welfare reform’.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that use of the DHP budget was an important means by which the Council aimed to assist and protect families threatened with homelessness. The Council was seeking to focus on increasing financial resilience and reducing demand for crisis support, aligned with our objective of preventing homelessness and reducing our reliance on temporary accommodation. With the resources at our disposal, Haringey would ensure that the DHP policy for 20/21 was administered in a fair and transparent way. The Council remained committed to doing everything it could to sustain tenancies, prevent homelessness and, where possible, ensure tenants secure more affordable accommodation.

In response to questions from Councillors Brabazon and Ibrahim, the following information was provided:

• Officers noted that information on the policy was publicly available on the Council’s website and on all bills and letters sent out. The Council worked closely with Homes for Haringey and those in temporary accommodation to ensure they were aware of the assistance that was available.
• Officers informed this was the first time that the DWP had provided extra money to the Council for the provision of its DHP policy.
• Officers confirmed that the Council was working with third party sectors, including community centres to promote the access to this payment policy.

RESOLVED

To approve Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2020/21 (see Appendix A) as the means by which the Council will determine how the DHP funds will be allocated during the 2020/21 financial year having regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment (set out in Appendix B).

Reasons for Decision

The DHP Policy has to be reviewed and approved every year in line with the changing funding allocated by the DWP.

Alternative Options Considered

Consideration has been given to the option of continuing with Haringey’s existing DHP Policy. The policy is reviewed each year in line with the new allocation of funding; as such this option is viable.