Image source, bbc

Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland says councils can choose how to use Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) and ponders if the 'bedroom tax' should be moved out of the system.

In 2014 the UK government devolved the power to set the cap on DHP in Scotland.

The payments are used by the Scottish government to mitigate the impact of housing benefit changes.

Scottish ministers had called for a cap to be lifted on the amount of DHP payments it was able to make.

Image source, Getty Images

People on tax credits are set to face "significant issues" when they are moved to Universal Credit, this committee found.

The group warned that there had been "less light" cast on how the shift from one system to another would work.

Image source, bbc

The controversial new benefits system, UC, completed its rollout for new claimants across Scotland last December.

It means all new claimants will now be placed on UC.

The benefit has been criticised by charities and campaigners over reports of long delays in payments and its link to rent arrears and food bank use.

One of the changes with UC is that while housing benefit was paid directly to registered social landlords, now it goes to the tenant.

Scottish recipients can choose to pay landlords directly but campaigners say those with chaotic lifestyles are often not aware of the change.

• Read more here
• Universal Credit - What is the problem?
• Police Scotland link robbery rise with UK benefits changes
• Amber Rudd - 'There are problems with Universal Credit

Ms Deery points out the five week wait for UC immediately puts people into rent arrears which are extremely difficult to get out of.

She says the committee should look at situations where arrears have led to eviction from private accommodation.

Image source, bbc

Mr Dailly completely agrees with Ms Deery saying there can be way longer delays to get UC than five weeks.

Eilidh McIvor from Living Rent says there is absolutely no logic to the five week delay.

Mr Dailly says Universal Credit has been deliberately designed as a hostile environment by the UK government.

"It's completely flawed."

The Govan Law Centre representative insists UC must come to this parliament and it could be redesigned so it is not so arduous to get it.

We've taken one step forward and many steps back, he adds.

Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland says in Edinburgh unsuitable accommodation is procured by the council due to pressures they are under.

Preventing homelessness from happening in the first place is absolutely crucial and social security must be used to achieve this, she adds.

Mike Dailly from Govan Law Centre says there is an element of sex discrimination about this, with 80% of single parents who are homeless in temporary accommodation being women.

Mr Dailly tells the committee there is a massive scandal around homeless hotels in Glasgow charging around £300 per week to live in a grotty room.

We have clients that have lived there for ten years which is an absolute scandal, he adds.

Image source, bbc

Eilidh McIvor from Living Rent says there has been an increase in homelessness due to the benefit cap and scrapping it should be a priority.

Temporary accommodation can be triple the price of a mainstream flat, which can be a confusing and ridiculous situation, adds Ms McIvor.

She adds we are paying over the odds, in some cases, for poor accommodation.

Image source, bbc

Return LHA to the 50 percentile from the Scottish government and get rid of discrimination against people who are under 25 years old, says Mr Dailly.

He points out nobody has ever used a rent pressure zone and we need to beef up rent control.

Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland says the link between LHA and market rates has been broken and needs to be revised.

Eilidh McIvor from Living Rent agrees that discrimination against young people through the shared rate has to go.

Mr Dailly says the Local Housing Allowance is completely inequitable.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) was introduced on 7 April 2008 to provide Housing Benefit entitlement for tenants renting private sector accommodation in England, Scotland and Wales.

The Govan Law Centre's solicitor advocate says LHA pushes people into poverty and points out rents are over-heated.

Image source, bbc

The UK government has created a hostile environment, he adds.

Eilidh McIvor, volunteer, Living Rent agrees saying families are struggling to sustain their tenancies.

Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland concurs that the situation can lead to homelessness.

Image source, bbc

The committee convener introduces:

• Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland, external
• Mike Dailly from Govan Law Centre, external
• Eilidh McIvor, volunteer, Living rent, external

The Social Security Committee will shortly take evidence on support for housing.

MSPs will hear from:

• Aoife Deery from Shelter Scotland, external
• Mike Dailly from Govan Law Centre, external
• Eilidh McIvor, volunteer, Living rent, external

Image source, Thinkstock

and then from—

• John Rafferty from Bethany Christian Trust, external
• Gary Neil from Rock Trust, external
• Rob Gowans from Citizens Advice Scotland, external

Read the committee papers here, external

Image source, PA/Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Thursday 28 March 2019.

The Social Security Committee will shortly take evidence on support for housing.

After general questions, the usual extensive coverage of FMQs.

Then we have a member’s debate led by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant entitled ‘Condemnation of Misogyny, Racism, Harassment and Sexism’.

After that the economy and fair work ministers will be quizzed by portfolio questions.

Finally the Scottish government will lead a debate entitled ‘Progressing Towards a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People’.