Average Debt of Welfare Reform-Hit Tenant around £3,000

The average debt of the social housing tenants taking part in the Real Life reforms study is now £2,943, the third report reveals.  Of the 83 tenants from across the North of England, 77 per cent were in arrears and the average debt was up by 28 per cent since the last report. The study, which aims to investigate how changes to the benefits system are affecting tenants’ health, housing, wellbeing, finances, education and employment prospects, also found that the average weekly debt repayment has increased by 58 per cent to £34.41.  Andy Williams, director of neighbourhood services at Liverpool Housing Trust and chair of the Real Life Reform Steering Group, said it’s likely that many of the tenants will never be able to pay off their debt. Download a copy of the report from the Real Life Reform website.