Policy News
Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill
The Housing (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill was formally introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 22 June 2010. The Bill is expected to be referred to the Social Develompent Committee on 30 June 2010. The stated purpose of the Bill is to enable better regulation of the Private Rented Sector, provide new tools to tackle fuel poverty, promote effective housing management and clarify existing law in respect of homelessness
Reform of Housing Benefit
The chancellor has announced a major reform of housing benefit from April 2011. We have concerns that some of the measures could push vulnerable families over the edge. The measures include:
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Restricting Housing Benefit for working–age claimants in the social rented sector who are living in larger room property than their households size warrants.
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Capping Local Housing Allowance rates at £250 a week for a one bedroom flat, £290 for a two bed, £340 for a three bedroom and £400 a week for a four bed property.
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Re-adjusting Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) payments – currently 1.58 percentage points above the Bank of England Base rate; from October 2010 SMI will be paid at the Bank of England’s Published Average Mortgage Rate.
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Reducing housing benefit by 10% for people who have been on jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months or more.
You can find out more here.
Consultations
DSD Warmer healthier homes consultation - deadline is 24th September 2010. This consultation aims to review the Fuel Poverty Strategy and develop proposals for a new strategy to address future challenges. The consultation can be found here.
FSA Mortgage Market Review: Responsible lending consultation was published in July 2010 and the purpose of the consultation is to prompt further engagement on the best means for ensuring responsible lending and borrowing, as well a fair charging practices. This consultation has two deadlines. Comments regarding questions 16 to 22 about interest-only mortgages and questions 33 and 34 about non-deposit taking lenders should be submitted by 30 September 2010; and on all other questions, by 16 November 2010. The consultation can be found here
HM Treasury consultation- A new approach to financial regulation: judgement, focus and stability was published in July 2010 and the deadline is 31st October 2010. This consultation sets out the new reforms to financial regulation and the Government asks the public views on these new reforms and future reforms. This consultation can be found here.
Legal Information
Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010
A commencement order was made on Friday 30th July 2010 with all sections of the Act commencing on 31st July and section 5 (homeless appeals) coming into force on 1st December 2010.
Legislation Website
A new legislation website was launched on 29th July 2010. This website replaces OPSI and the Statute Law Database and can be accessed at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/
Training Information
Spaces are filling up fast for our Mental health and housing course in Derry 14 September and Belfast 16 September. Contact Geraldine on 028 9024 5640 to book
Keep up to date
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New look for www.housingrights.org.uk
We have recently enhanced our website and have a brand new blog and members’ only section. Check it out and feel free to post a comment
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