Supported Exempt Accommodation and Housing Benefit
The role of housing benefit in Supported Exempt Accommodation
The housing benefit system plays an important role in making supported housing affordable for claimants with limited income. Where accommodation can be identified as Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) under housing benefit legislation, housing benefit can help with the additional costs associated with the provision of supported housing.
There is an understanding that running supported accommodation schemes will incur greater housing management expenses above those of general needs accommodation. This may be because of a higher rate of resident turnover or more wear and tear on the property etc. The type and degree of expenses will vary depending on the client group. “Reasonable” housing management costs will be eligible for housing benefit.
The local authorities' housing benefit team will decide whether the rent (core rent, service charges and intensive housing management charges) can be covered by housing benefit. The provider of SEA will be required to submit evidence of rental costs and associated charges.