![RR3 logo](/sites/default/files/emails/RR3%20PNG_0.png)
RR3 Special Interest Group on Accommodation report
Part 2
Today, we are publishing the second report from the Special Interest Group on Accommodation (SIG), convened as part of the work of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group.
This report focuses specifically on the problems faced by people leaving prison in accessing the private rented sector (PRS), including issues related to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, guarantors, upfront costs and discrimination. After highlighting the key issues, the report sets out a range of practical measures designed to mitigate them.
The report is divided into five sections:
- An overview – the inaccessibility and unaffordability of the private rented sector (PRS)
- Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates
- Landlord reluctance to let to people leaving prison
- Prison pay
- Universal credit
It found that:
- The PRS has become increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible for people leaving prison, driven by the financial insecurity faced by a significant proportion of people in prison and on their subsequent release
- Frozen LHA rates meant that the lowest 30% of rental properties were no longer affordable to people in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) and Housing Benefit
- Landlord reluctance to let to people leaving prison continues to present significant challenges
- Low rates of prison pay prevent people serving custodial sentences from being able to save up prior to release
- The UC system is further exacerbating the financial insecurity of people on their release from prison, related to an inability to submit claims prior to release and deductions to monthly payments.
The third report – focused on accessing housing-related support will be published in the coming weeks.
As with the first report, work is now ongoing to engage with officials responsible for the areas outlined in this report. We will continue to update SIG participants and the wider sector as to our progress. Please contact bronte.jack@clinks.org with any questions.
Read the report here
-----------------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this email because you subscribe to Light Lunch.
Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter
Contact us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 4502 6774
Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org
© Clinks, 2024
Registered office: 82A James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE
Registered charity: 1074546 | Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales: 3562176