§ Sarah TeatherTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the range of options available in private sector rented accommodation in the local authority areas in which the new housing benefit rules are being tested. [179664]
§ Mr. PondThe new local housing allowance is being tested in nine local authority areas, for tenants in the private rented sector. The intention is that by paying tenants a flat rate sum of money, based on family size, it will help increase the options open to tenants and provide a much clearer system from the outset for both tenants and landlords.
The nine pathfinders started between November 2003 and February 2004, and therefore it is too early to make any firm assessment about the impact on the choices made by tenants. This will be assessed by the comprehensive and independent evaluation that is in place, to consider the overall impact of the local housing allowance. The first interim evaluation report is due by early 2005.