The National Housing Federation (NHF) is calling on ministers to rethink plans to cut housing benefit payments to tenants who are 'underoccupying' homes, warning that up to 670,000 face average cuts of £676 per year. The Government has announced plans to reduce housing benefit for working-age tenants it considers are underoccupying social homes – even if they have lived there for decades. This, says the Government, will free-up accommodation for households living in overcrowded homes, or enable properties to be offered to other people on the waiting list for social housing. However, two thirds of those affected (450,000) - say the NHF - are disabled and an estimated 100,000 live in homes that have been specially adapted for their needs. The cuts will force them to choose between going into debt or attempting to move away from their families and support networks, the NHF has warned. Download a copy of the briefing form the NHF website.
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