As Chair of the PLP Housing and Planning Committee, in response to today’s Westminster Hall debate on Future Funding of Supported Housing, Julie said:

“I would like to congratulate my Rt Hon. friend, the Member for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne East for securing such an important and timely debate. This is an issue that many of my constituents have raised with me because they are extremely concerned about the impact that the Government’s current plans will have on supported housing in Sunderland.

If the Government goes ahead with its current plan, the impact of the local housing allowance (LHA) cap on the amount of Housing Benefit payable for supported housing will be devastating.

Supported housing is vital for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This cap could result in supported housing schemes being closed and plans for new supported housing being shelved due to lack of funds.

I urge the Government to think about our veterans, victims of domestic violence, those with mental health illnesses, the homeless and the elderly, all of whom benefit from supported housing, and reverse these proposals that would destroy supported housing in our country.”