The Government's plans to cut £490 million from the welfare bill by slashing the housing benefit of tenants with spare rooms could end up costing it more, experts have warned. Due to come in from April 2013, 670,000 social housing tenants face losing on average £13 a week if they are deemed to be living in homes too big for their needs. However, in its own impact assessment, the Government admits there is a mismatch of stock. According to the National Housing Federation, while some 180,000 families are underoccupying two-bed homes, just 68,000 one-bed homes became available last year. The Government says those tenants will either have to make up the shortfall themselves or look at renting in the private sector where their benefit dependency would be greater. Read more on 24dash.
No comments:
Post a Comment