Bedroom Tax Leaves Properties Standing Empty

Cuts to housing benefit designed to drive tenants out of large homes have led to streets with scores of empty properties across the North East, MPs have claimed.  South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck said tenants were refusing to move in to larger homes because they feared they would have to pay extra costs if their circumstances changed.  She said: “We are already seeing streets with scores of empty properties. The number of such properties is likely to rise and rise, while the former residents are becoming homeless or moving to the expensive private sector - moves that will increase the housing benefit bill further, and further stretch public finances.” Read more on the Newcastle Journal website.

Homeless Hit by Bedroom Tax

The North East’s biggest homeless charity has revealed the Government’s bedroom tax is even affecting those who sleep on the streets.  The Cyrenians have been warned by housing providers they will soon be unable to hand over the types of properties usually made available for homeless people. The problem is caused by more need for previously undesirable one-bedroom properties to be handed over to tenants trying to downsize to avoid the cuts in housing benefits facing those with spare rooms. As housing associations are swamped with calls for more one-bedroom properties, the homeless are being pushed to the bottom of the list, the Cyrenians warn. Read more on the Newcastle Journal.