Thank you for contacting me about social housing rent, housing benefit and homelessness.
Under the Rent Standard set by the Government, increases to social housing rents are limited to the Consumer Prices Index plus one per cent for five years from 2020. This limit is designed to provide social tenants, local councils and housing associations with the security and certainty they need.
I understand that this limit on increases is intended to strike the right balance between the interests of existing social housing tenants who pay some or all of their own rent, the need to build more homes, and the importance of ensuring that providers have sufficient income with which to manage and maintain their properties. The need to build more high-quality social homes is of particular importance and I know that new social housing is a key priority for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
In response to recent inflation forecasts, the Government has proposed to introduce a temporary cap on social housing rent increases in 2023-24. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities held a consultation seeking to understand how best to support households with the cost of living, with options for a cap at three per cent, five per cent and seven per cent under consideration. I understand that the responses received are being analysed, and I will be sure to follow any announcements closely.
