Drastic Benefit Cut Risks Rise in Rough Sleeping

Crisis has published a new national survey that supports its fears that many of the 88,000 people affected by the Government's latest planned cut in housing benefit could become homeless if the change goes ahead. This week the Government is rushing through changes to extend the 'Shared Accommodation Rate' to 25-34 year-olds, which will see an average cut in housing benefit of £47 a week, as their benefits will only cover the cost of a room in a shared house, instead of a self-contained flat. Crisis today called for the Government to rethink the proposed change. The charity says this drastic cut in housing benefit will force people out of their homes and in many cases people will become homeless. The charity says evidence suggests that vulnerable people, including former rough sleepers, are at particularly high risk of being made homeless again, as forcing them to share is inappropriate. Read more details of the survey on the Crisis website.