A motion proposed by the Green Party calling on the Labour government to modernise the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) has won unanimous cross-party support at Exeter City Council’s full council meeting. The LHA sets the amount that private renters in receipt of housing benefit or Universal Credit get in benefits to help with rent costs.
Councillor Diana Moore, the leader of the Green group in Exeter who proposed the motion, said:
“I am delighted that councillors from all Parties and none have backed this motion and that the leader of the Council has agreed to take this up with national government. Housing Allowance rates have been frozen since 2020 and the Labour Government says they will remain frozen until 2026. This places more people at risk of homelessness, which then becomes an extra cost to councils.
“The unanimous support tonight acknowledges the severe housing crisis affecting our communities and the current inadequacy of LHA, and calls on the Labour government to unfreeze and uprate it. By backing this motion, councillors in Exeter are sending the government a strong message that we need action.
Speaking at the meeting, Green councillor for St David’s ward, James Banyard, said:
“The LHA is supposed to be enough to enable someone to cover the costs of renting the cheapest accommodation in an area. But as rents continue to rise in Exeter, many households face a shortfall between the benefits they receive and the rent they have to pay. Many households are faced with moving out of the city or living in inadequate homes.
“Average rents in Exeter are now as high as those in the South East of England and LHA has not kept pace to allow people to rent even the cheapest properties or rooms.”