We believe that the shared accommodation rate for Local Housing Allowance is too low and can create an immediate barrier to finding safe and stable accommodation for many people under 35 years old who are unlikely to qualify for the one bedroom-rate, especially those newly released from prison.

The shared accommodation rate can make it challenging to find private rented accommodation, and we believe that this can result in a significant higher risk of homelessness. I therefore ask the government to review this policy and consider allowing people under 35 who are leaving prison to receive the one-bedroom rate Local Housing Allowance. I think this change would give people a fairer chance to find stable accommodation, avoid homelessness and reintegrate safely into the community.