Priorities chosen for housing payments
Certain disabled people, foster carers and people fleeing domestic violence will be prioritised for Discretionary Housing Payments under a new scheme approved by Central Beds Council this week.
The payments have traditionally provided short term financial support to people whose housing benefit does not cover their rent or who need help with a deposit or removal costs, so they can move into a smaller or cheaper rented place.
Changes in housing benefit and other welfare support, introduced last April have led to an increase in demand for help as people have struggled to pay their rent.