Campaign Slams ‘Discrimination’ Against Renters On Housing Benefit

Renters from across Hackney are calling for an end to the “discriminatory” practice that allows private landlords to deny a home to those claiming housing benefit. The number of claimants of housing benefit, often referred to as ‘DSS’, has increased dramatically in Hackney during recent years due to the rising cost of rented accommodation. In a recent survey Digs, a campaign group which fights for renters’ rights in Hackney, contacted 50 local letting agencies, finding just one property available to those who claim housing benefit. Out of the 50 agencies contacted, 21 said it was company policy not to accept DSS tenants, 20 admitted it was very rare and not preferred by their landlords, and a further nine agencies declined to answer. Read more on the Hackney Citizen website.