Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) expenditure and requests Cabinet approves the policy for 2024/25.

Purpose of report

This report provides an update on Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) expenditure and requests Cabinet approves the policy for 2024/25.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the policy for the administration of Discretionary Housing Payments for 2024/25.

Alternative options considered and rejected

There were no other options to consider, other than to not approve the policy.

Reasons for decision

The Council had a clear commitment in its Corporate Plan 2020-2023 to healthy and strong communities and being a high performing council.  This report, and the support provided through the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payment Scheme, delivered these priorities.

The administration and payment of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) was at the discretion of each Local Authority. South Kesteven District Council had a DHP Policy which set out eligibility for the scheme and the application process.

The aim of the policy was to enable that the most vulnerable residents, who could not access any other income could sustain their home and health.

Awards of Discretionary Housing Payments may be made where a resident had a short-term financial difficulty or had continuing and unavoidable needs that meant they were unable to pay their rent. Awards would normally be for a defined period.

Consideration would be given to whether all other discounts and sources of help had been exhausted. Where appropriate, decisions would be deferred until other avenues had been explored.

There was a need for proactive work and support due to the ongoing impacts of Welfare Reform and Cost of Living on residents. Whilst the effects of Welfare Reform had impacted a significant number of people and increased the need for DHP, it was important to note that DHP was also payable to people who required further financial assistance that had not been impacted by these changes. The ongoing reduction in DHP funding would inevitably have an impact on the level and duration of DHP awards, however, it was intended that by working with customers in line with the policy these impacts would be managed and mitigated with longer-term sustainable solutions.

It was important DHP was recognised as support for those in short-term crisis.  Where longer term support was required, this was achieved through identification of additional longer term financial support – such as income top-ups, referrals to the Council’s Cost of Living Team, referrals to external support agencies such as Citizens Advice and Money and Pensions Service.  For South Kesteven tenants, liaison with the Housing Team was important to ensure there was a holistic approach to prevent homelessness and to ensure the resident was supported through the Tenancy Support Team.

The Council’s current policy had been in place for some time and had been updated annually in line with delegated powers. It was appreciated this was an important policy, which provided detail of additional financial support available to residents. Therefore, it was important this policy was reviewed on an annual basis, not only to ensure the policy was fit for purpose, but to be reactive to any issues residents were facing.