a day ago
Homeless charity closes following funding dispute
Homeless people face losing their accommodation in a town after a funding dispute between the charity which housed them and a council.
West Northamptonshire Council said in a statement that Northampton Association for Accommodation for Single Homeless (NAASH), which supported accommodation for about 200 people, had closed.
NAASH has said council funding has been held up because the authority has disputed the "validity" of housing benefit claims made on behalf of clients.
The Reform UK-controlled council said the charity must "follow the guidelines" and said it was "taking steps to support" affected tenants.
'Homelessness risk'
NAASH services director Theresa Kelly said the organisation supported "some of Northampton's most vulnerable people" after they were referred to them directly by the council.
She said her team believed they had "fully complied" with housing benefit regulations.
"This is not the first time essential services like NAASH have been forced out by West Northamptonshire Council's cost-cutting measures," said Ms Kelly.
"Each closure leaves vulnerable people once again facing the very real risk of homelessness."
NAASH, which has supported homeless people since 2000, is the landlord of several supported accommodation properties.
It does not own its housing and mostly rents rooms in houses of multiple occupation.
'Acting proactively'
The council said each tenant's case was being looked at individually so that "tailored support" could be offered.
The authority said NAASH's closure followed a "long period of discussion and negotiation" relating to housing benefit claims.
Charlie Hastie, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "We are actively engaging with other providers to ensure there is support available to help residents through this difficult time.
"We recognise the deep anxiety this situation causes for people with complex health and personal challenges.
"We as a council have already made a commitment to reduce homelessness and its wider impact, and we are acting proactively to address this."
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which administers housing benefit, previously said it could not comment on the case.
"Local authorities decide if a customer is eligible for the benefit, applying DWP rules to ensure the right support is going to the right place," a spokesperson said.
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Related internet links
NAASH
West Northamptonshire Council
Department for Work and Pension
