<p>No assessment has been made.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As of February 2023, 1.8 million households receiving housing support (including both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing Element) live in the Private Rented Sector.</p><p>The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector. It ensures that claimants in similar circumstances living in the same area are entitled to the same maximum rent allowance regardless of the contractual rent paid. LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas.</p><p>In 2020 we spent almost £1 billion increasing LHA rates to the 30<sup>th</sup> percentile. The significant investment at that time has been maintained ensuring that everyone who benefited continues to do so.</p><p> </p><p>For those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.6 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.</p>