NHF: 'Brutal Housing Benefit Cuts Put 200,000 at Risk of Homelessness'

Brutal cuts in housing benefit will put more than 200,000 people across Britain at risk of homelessness, according to the National Housing Federation. The Federation today warned that plans to cut Housing Benefit by 10% for people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months or more would lead to real terms cuts of up to 50% in disposable income for a significant proportion of the nation’s 4.7 million Housing Benefit claimants. The cut would hit single, childless claimants hardest because they would not be entitled to any other income support from the state – other than their Jobseeker’s Allowance cash. They would be forced to make up the shortfall in their Housing Benefit with a substantial proportion of their dole money, which is worth just £65.45 a week. With not enough cash to cover their basic household bills, the Federation warned that thousands of unemployed people on housing benefit will fall into arrears on their rent and be evicted. Read more on the 24dash website.