COUNCILLORS have approved a scheme to help people manage their housing situation once new Government regulations come into force.

Darlington Borough Council will now introduce two-year tenancies for people aged under 35 and living alone.

The authority’s cabinet members heard that the Government’s Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap on housing benefit effective from April 2019 will hit single young adults the hardest.

Councillor Veronica Copeland, the cabinet member for adult social care and housing, said: “This change will particularly affect single people under 35, as they will have their benefit capped at the LHA shared room rate. In Darlington, this is currently £59.20 per week, which is approximately £16 to £18 per week below current rents for one bed properties.”

Liberal democrat councillor Anne-Marie Curry asked whether young people coming out of care would be protected from the legislation changes.

And the Bank Top and Lascelles councillor was assured that it would be checked once the full details were released.