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Caerphilly Cabinet agrees housing rent increase for 2023/24

Posted on : 14 Dec 2022

Caerphilly Cabinet agrees housing rent increase for 2023/24
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet has today (14 December) agreed contract holder (tenant) rent levels for the next financial year.
 
Cabinet members approved an annual increase of 6.5% for the next financial year, in line with this year’s Welsh Government rent setting policy.  This will increase the current average rent by £6.10 per week from £93.80 to £99.90.  78% of Council contract holders will not be affected by the increase, as they are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
 
Rent for Council owned garages in the county borough will increase by 5.5% to £8.85 per week.
 
The decisions were taken after Cabinet members considered many issues including affordability for contract holders and the impact of high inflation upon service delivery.
 
Cllr Shayne Cook, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said “We currently have one of the lowest local authority rents in Wales and are committed to ensuring our rents remain affordable.  Whilst next year’s increase remains lower than inflation, we understand that any increase is a concern, particularly given the current cost of living crisis.
 
“The financial challenges facing us are unprecedented and if rents are not increased this would result in a reduction in services and the need for even greater borrowing.
 
“Supporting our contract holders and helping them sustain their occupation contracts is a key priority for us.  We give contract holders our assurance that we will not evict anyone because of financial hardship when they engage with us to seek support.
 
“This approach has resulted in no evictions during the past year. Also, during 2021/22 our Housing Support Service successfully secured £3.2 million in additional benefit income for our contract holders.  The team has already generated over £1.57 million in additional income during the first 6 months of this financial year.
 
“I urge anyone who may be concerned about their finances to contact our Housing Support Service to find out what advice and assistance is available.”
 
Council contract holders can contact the Council’s Housing Support Service by calling 01443 811450, emailing tenancysupportoffice@caerphilly.gov.uk or texting RENTHELP to 81400 (a member of the team will call back).
 

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