How Is Birmingham Cutting £10m From Homelessness Fund?

Birmingham’s housing chief has been challenged to spell out how he plans to cut £10 million from the city’s homelessness budget at a time when rough sleeping is on the rise. Labour cabinet member Coun Peter Griffiths was grilled by a backbench housing scrutiny committee over the proposed cuts of £5.2 million this year and a further £4.8 million in 2018 from the city’s £24 million Supporting People fund. The fund pays charities, social landlords and housing agencies to provide facilities and support services for the homeless - including rough sleepers or those fleeing domestic violence. The brutal, proposed cut has been widely criticised by agencies and politicians. It was also announced in the wake of the death of a rough sleeper in the city centre. Read more on the Birmingham Post website.

9,000 Midland House Plots 'Sat On' By HCA

More than one third of land held by the HCA is in the Midlands – meaning it is sitting on almost 9,000 housing plots. The agency has 1,500 acres of public sector land across the country, of which 596 acres are in the Midlands. The data was unveiled on CBRE’s Regional Land Report and a spokesman said there was major pressure on the agency with 80,000 homes needed in Birmingham by 2031. Typically, 15 houses are built to every acre, which means that the HCA in the Midlands is sitting on around 8,940 housing plots. Read more on the Birmingham Post website.

Councils 'Unable To Help People Affected By Bedroom Tax'

A Birmingham MP has revealed that local councils are unable to help 96 per cent of people affected by the bedroom tax due to a major shortage of available housing.  Freedom of Information Act inquiries by Liam Byrne revealed that 99,079 families living in 26 council areas have seen their housing benefit cut as a result of having a spare room in their council or housing association property.  Labour Party figures revealed that there are just 3,803 one and two-bedrooms homes for them to move into. Liam Byrne who is Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, said: “This hated bedroom tax is forcing vulnerable people to food banks and loan sharks and there is now a serious danger is could end up costing Britain more than it saves as tenants are forced to go homeless or move into the expensive private rented sector.”Read more on the Birmingham Post website.

Town Halls Face Legal Threat Over Cuts

Local authorities face being taken to court over their spending cuts, following a landmark court case. In the High Court Birmingham Council was told its £1.4 million cut to voluntary sector funding was unlawful. The court found in favour of 13 voluntary organisations which argued the council no longer fulfilled its equalities duties because the cuts negatively impacted on disabled people, ethnic minorities and women. The court found that England’s largest local authority failed to consult adequately on the funding changes to the groups. Read more on the Birmingham Post website.