<p>Extending the shared accommodation rate to single people aged up to 35 encourages people claiming benefits to make the same choices about their accommodation as people not claiming benefits, many of whom share.</p><p>The shared accommodation rate does not apply to claimants with dependent children or those living in social and third sector supported housing.</p><p>In most areas outside inner London, around 30% of shared accommodation is affordable within LHA rates, so there is no reason people should be left without somewhere to live.</p><p>For people who require further support, we are providing £180 million in locally administered discretionary housing payments this year.</p><p>The Department has commissioned a major independent review of the changes to local housing allowance. The final report is due to be published next year.</p>