Extra Support for One in Four Tenants under Government Benefit Plans

One in four residents will need additional support from their landlord to help pay their rent once housing benefit is paid directly to tenants, according to an organisation involved in the government's demonstration pilot.  Ian Simpson, director of community housing at Bron Afon Community Housing, one of the organisations involved in the pilot, told delegates at the CIH conference that rent collection levels had dropped to 95% at the organisation despite tripling the amount of contact made with tenants.  Simpson said housing associations will need to increase the support offered to tenants, but cautioned that this may not be financially viable. Read more on the Guardian website.