The Government had previously planned to cap housing benefit for supported housing tenants, in line with the private sector. However, following warnings from the sector that this could lead to extreme hardship for some of the country’s most vulnerable people, the Government has today confirmed a reversal of its decision.
The Government response can be found here.
Dan Scorer, Head of Policy for learning disability charity, Mencap, said:
Today’s announcement offers much needed assurance for the thousands of people with a learning disability who depend upon supported housing. For over two years the sector has been on hold; unable to build or provide safe homes for some of the country’s most vulnerable people, while waiting for the Government to decide the future of the sectors funding.
“While there are still questions to be answered, particularly in relation to cost control and outcomes, Mencap has confidence in the Government’s commitment to continue to fund 100% of housing costs for this sector into the future. We hope the Government’s decision will now allow supported housing services to focus on what’s important, providing quality, safe homes for people with a learning disability.
-ENDS-
*During Prime Ministers questions
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact the Mencap press office on 020 7696 5414 or media@mencap.org.uk
Notes to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability, their families and carers by fighting to change laws, improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
For advice and information about learning disability and Mencap services in your area, contact Mencap Direct on 0808 808 1111 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) or email help@mencap.org.uk.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which can cause problems with everyday tasks – for example shopping and cooking, or travelling to new places – which affects someone for their whole life.
People with a learning disability can take longer to learn new things and may need support to develop new skills, understand difficult information and engage with other people. The level of support someone needs is different with every individual. For example, someone with a severe learning disability might need much more support with daily tasks than someone with a mild learning disability.
Learning disability is not a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Very often the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used interchangeably with ‘learning disability’.