There Is No Exodus of the Poor

One of the country’s most expensive places to live has poured scorn on the suggestion that benefit caps imposed by the Government would provoke an exodus of tenants. As the third most expensive borough in the country, Hammersmith and Fulham might be expected to be a prime candidate for such an exodus, but the council has said it has the figures to demonstrate that people are not being forced out of the borough. Out of 546 households in temporary accommodation affected by the caps, just 10 have had to relocate to areas outside of Hammersmith and Fulham, the council said. In 344 cases, the council successfully negotiate a lower price, within the cap threshold, with private landlords. Another 180 people have been successfully rehoused in properties that are affordable under the Government’s tougher new rules – with 152 cases remaining in the borough and just 18 cases resettled in neighbouring boroughs, the council said. Read more on the Housing Excellence website.