Glossary
Voluntary organisation
In one sentence
For Housing Benefit, a body other than a public authority whose activities are carried on otherwise than for profit.
Voluntary organisations can be exempt accommodation landlords. Community interest companies can qualify, but councils usually check the constitution, accounts, dividends and any linked companies.
Related terms
Community interest company (CIC)A limited company for social enterprises, with an asset lock. Many run supported housing as voluntary organisations.Exempt accommodationSupported housing where a not-for-profit landlord or county council, or someone acting for it, provides more than minimal care, support or supervision.
Where it comes up
- What is exempt accommodation?Exempt accommodation is supported housing where the landlord is a housing association, registered charity, voluntary organisation or non-metropolitan county council, and that landlord, or someone acting for it, gives the resident more than minimal care, support or supervision. Housing Benefit pays the rent, and the usual local rent caps do not apply.
- The four categories of specified accommodationSpecified accommodation is the group of supported housing types where rent is paid through Housing Benefit, even for people on Universal Credit. There are four categories. Exempt accommodation, managed properties, domestic abuse refuges and local authority hostels. Each has its own tests for who the landlord can be and whether support is required.
- Emergency accommodation, temporary accommodation and supported housingEmergency accommodation is a place to stay at short notice, often arranged by a council under its interim duty while it looks into a homeless application. Temporary accommodation is the wider term for housing councils arrange while they work out or carry out a longer duty. Neither is automatically supported housing. A placement only counts as exempt accommodation if the landlord type and support tests are met.