The announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions that measures to reduce Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will be delayed for nine months to January 2012 for existing claimants has been welcomed by the Chartered Institute for Housing (CIH).

The CIH believes it demonstrates the government has listened to some of the housing sector’s fears around the impact of housing benefit reforms.

The conclusions of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) report published, however, reflect more accurately the concerns of professionals who work with vulnerable and low income households day in day out to help them secure appropriate accommodation.


CIH Chief Executive Sarah Webb said: "Some positive concessions have been secured by the sector, but there remain a number of unresolved issues to work through. We still anticipate a significant impact on low income households from the multiple housing benefit reforms and the potential long term social and economic consequences of these changes. We are pleased to see our concerns reflected in the SSAC report, and we ask the DWP to take greater account of the SSAC's concerns as they take the next steps in their benefit reform programme."

(CD/GK)