New scheme to help prevent homelessness
Published
Wednesday 1 April, 2026
Updated
Tuesday 7 April, 2026
Councillors have approved a scheme to help prevent homelessness and support local people facing a crisis.
Swale Borough Council’s policy and resources committee agreed to adopt a new Housing Payments Policy, from April, to support local people receiving benefits who are struggling to find or stay in accommodation.
The short-term payments, funded by the Government-funded Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), will help people in exceptional circumstances cover the difference between their benefits and the cost of affordable housing.
The payments are designed to give low-income households time to access the advice and support needed to change their circumstances, helping them stay in their current home or find other affordable accommodation.
People need to be claiming either Housing Benefits (HB) or Universal Credit Housing Costs (UCHC) to be eligible for this additional support.
Cllr Tim Gibson, chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said:
“This new fund will allow us to directly help people in Swale who are facing homelessness in times of crisis.
“It is designed to cover the shortfall between people’s benefits and the cost of their housing, enabling them to stay in their homes or find new affordable housing.
“The new policy will make sure this vital funding goes to the people who need it most, helping prevent homelessness, alleviate the risk of poverty, and safeguard our residents.
“This funding is in addition to the regular benefit payments people receive towards their housing and is a short-term safety net to keep the people who need it most in housing.”
