Further benefit cuts for the most vulnerable.
It has been claimed that thousands of vulnerable social housing tenants in Britain may lose the residential support services because of government’s benefit cuts which are coming into effect in April. The National Housing Federation, with the backing of Age UK, Mencap and Women’s Aid, is calling on government to confirm that this new cap will apply only to people that don’t need extra support.
In November the Chancellor introduced a cap on housing benefit for tenants in the social sector. Many of these tenants live in housing schemes which provide extra care and support, with the higher rents and service charges often covered by housing benefit.
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “We are urgently seeking clarity from Government: will this cap apply to those who are, by definition, the most in need of extra help?
“If this cap applies to specialist housing, tens of thousands of vulnerable people will be unable to afford the cost of their home and care. Huge numbers of people will be affected from older people and dementia patients, to disabled people and women fleeing domestic violence – they cannot go without specialist care and support.
“With building on new homes grinding to a halt, pipeline plans scrapped and schemes already preparing to shut up shop, this matter can no longer go unresolved.”
To see the (NHF) report click here
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