'Universal Credit for Housing Could Lead To a Real Crisis'

Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes, says the Government's Universal Credit for housing could lead to a real crisis. "The Government is committed to ‘Mending Broken Britain’ and to ‘Making Work Pay’. The concept of breaking benefit dependency and valuing peoples’ contributions to society has been part of the work housing associations have been committed to helping deliver for many years. "The idea that social landlords have been “over protected” as Lord Freud quoted, by receiving housing benefit direct in contrast to private sector landlords, is like comparing apples with pears. Social landlords have a duty to house people who need it. They are regulated to maintain viable businesses and to deliver social duties, to prevent homelessness and assist those who require greater help. This is not the role of a private landlord and bears no comparison. "It is not social landlords who are protected but people whose homes are important and keeping a roof over their head that is of primary concern.” Read more on 24dash.