MORE than 900 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents were given additional funding to help with housing costs in the last year, according to the latest figures. BCP Council handed out more than half a million pounds to residents in need of extra help with housing costs last year. Department for Work and Pensions data shows the local authority paid £712,000 in Discretionary Housing Payments in 2020-21. The cash is intended to provide those already in receipt of housing benefits with extra help such as covering rent shortfalls or the costs of moving. It means the council spent 59 per-cent of the £1,200,501 pot given to the authority by the Government.