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Consultation on Temporary Accommodation Charges in Coventry

Consultation on Temporary Accommodation Charges in Coventry

Consultation on Temporary Accommodation Charges in Coventry

Thursday, January 23, 2020

The Coventry Frontline Network recently held a meeting for housing and homelessness workers to discuss the latest proposals by Coventry City Council on the Temporary Accommodation Charging Policy.

Households placed into TA (temporary accommodation) in Coventry do not currently contribute towards the rental and Council Tax costs, or the utilities – gas, water and electricity – they use.  

At present, Coventry City Council also meet the full cost of storage of personal belongings while households are residing in TA.

Coventry City Council are consulting on introducing these charges in Coventry; their draft charging policy includes:

1. Utilities and Council Tax: Making households in TA responsible for Council Tax and utilities they use.

2. Storage: Households in temporary accommodation will pay to store their belongings.

3. Licence Fee: Households who are not entitled to full housing benefit because they work and/or have ‘excess income’ will be asked to make an affordable contribution towards the rent, through a licence fee.

The Coventry Frontline Network recognise that the Council is permitted to make some charges, and there was broad support for the principle of tenants contributing something towards their household costs where this was affordable.

However, we also discussed how these charges could affect vulnerable clients on low incomes, and the impact of being housed in properties with poor energy efficiency.

We want to make sure this new policy doesn’t result in households becoming less able to move on to more stable accommodation.

We need you!

Has your local authority already brought in charges to households in temporary accommodation?

Do the people you support have problems meeting these costs?

The Coventry Frontline Network would welcome any input you have about how temporary accommodation charges work in your area by completing this five-question survey.

The Coventry City Council consultation and supporting information can be found online at: www.letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/temporary-accommodation-charging-policy

If you would like more information about this policy, please do not hesitate to contact Zoë: ztitchener@coventrycab.org.uk

 

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