Let's remember. Years of DWP using sanctions inappropriately is why private landlords started refusing to take anyone on benefits.
2010 changes in how benefits sanctions were used and the randomness of "non targeted job centres" sanctioning Universal credit. left landlords unable to really on benefits claiments to pay rent at all.
Due to that many cancels we're forced to use other methods to house low or no income homeless.

I vaguely remember it being on the news when it was created. Such setup were never that common. This one was only created in the early 2000s. The design was to try and compete against huge international companies. Allowing a step above barter form local companies and customers.