'Virtual Merger' To Support Tenants Hit By Welfare Reform

Councils and social landlords across the West Midlands have come together in a 'virtual merger' and are pooling together stock in a bid to help tenants hit by the Government's welfare reforms.  According to the Government's impact analysis, some 60,000 working age claimants across the West Midlands will be affected by the under-occupation rules alone, losing on average £14 a week.  In response to the welfare changes, seven of the largest West Midlands local authorities and nine of the largest social housing providers are joining forces to agree joint action on welfare reform.  Diane Middleton, Chair of the West Midlands Making Best Use of Stock (WMBUS), said: “We have a duty to protect our residents.  To do this we intend to pool some of our housing stock, jointly identify where and what local and regional needs are, share best practice and communicate consistently to customers.”  WMBUS, which is being supported by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Best Use of Stock Team, is hosting a summit on June 21 for the housing providers, private landlords and regional developers involved in the group.  Read more on 24dash.