AQW 17364/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the median gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimant households in the private rented sector.

Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 24 October 2024

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
24 October 2024
Answer due by
8 November 2024
Answered
20 November 202427 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

In May 2024, the average (median) gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance for households in private rented sector for claimants on Universal Credit was £79.

In September 2024, the average (median) gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance for households in private rented sector for claimants on Housing Benefit was £78.

Data source: Universal Credit Full-Service system (UCFS) May 2024. Note that due to retrospection of UCFS data UC figures are subject to change. NIHE Housing Benefit Data is taken from September 2024 to ensure that 2024 LHA rates are accounted for.

Official sources