Sheltered accommodation exemption from underoccupancy

Does anyone know what the criteria for exempting properties as ‘sheltered accommodation’ is going to be on new underoccupancy rules?

Thanks

Morning,

Have a look at HB/CTB Circular A4/2012. Paragraph 50 of this circular reads:

“The size criteria rules will not be applied to those in supported ‘exempt’ accommodation. This is a particular type of supported accommodation defined for Housing Benefit purposes as accommodation provided by a non-metropolitan county council in England, a housing association, a registered charity or voluntary organisation where that body or a person acting on it’s behalf also provides the claimant with care, support or supervision as set out in paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Consequential Provisions Regulations 2006.”

The relevant part of the Consequential Provisions Regulations 2006 reads:

“1. Supported ‘exempt’ accommodation refers to certain supported housing but not all of it. It is defined in legislation as: either a resettlement place; or accommodation provided by a county council, housing association, registered charity or voluntary organisation where that body or a person acting on their behalf also provides the claimant with care, support or supervision.

2. Such accommodation includes group homes, hostels, refuges, sheltered housing, supported living complexes and adapted housing for the disabled provided by housing associations, registered charities, voluntary organisations and county councils. Housing Benefit recognised the often higher costs of providing such accommodation.”

Hope this helps

John

Thanks John, that’s great. Please could you point me in the direction of the regulations? I searched on OPSI but couldn’t seem to locate them.

Thanks for your help.