Housing Benefit Cut Could Double Homeless Numbers

The number of people sleeping on the streets could double within a matter of years because of a cut to housing benefits introduced by the government in the spending review, a coalition of homeless charities has warned. Ministers propose that from 2012 the state will no longer pay for 25-43 year-olds to live in a one-bedroom flat and instead only cover the costs of a room in a shared property. This single reform, according to the government's own figures, will see 88,000 people lose an average of £47 a week. Many will see their benefit halved. Recently, 17 organisations that work with the homeless wrote to the government warning that thousands would "lose their accommodation and be left facing homelessness". They pointed out that there are not enough large houses available to rent for young people to share, and warned that for "vulnerable people who have been homeless, are leaving care or prison … sharing is often inappropriate and can be particularly detrimental to well being". The result, say charities, is that the country faces an upsurge in "visible homelessness" unless the welfare cut is reversed. Read more on The Guardian website.