Housing benefit cuts could see private landlords 'subdivide' homes for smaller families displaced from social housing leading to overcrowding and homelessness. That stark warning has come from the Northern Area Social Housing (NASH) Forum - a group of housing associations in Staffordshire - who have looked into the impact of the Government's housing and welfare reforms. Although the report focuses on Staffordshire, the conclusions reflect issues felt across the UK and "paint a bleak picture for the UK housing sector". The report - backed by the National Housing Federation (NHF) - warns that plans to cut the housing benefits of tenants with spare rooms will affect nearly 30% of working age tenants in the NASH area - who will lose, on average, some £13 a week. It warns the cuts will provide an incentive for private landlords to 'subdivide' properties to house those unable to afford social homes. Download a copy of the report from the Aspire website.
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