Welfare reforms causing supported housing to be ‘clogged up'
- 18 Jul
Homelessness experts have warned that efforts to protect European Union migrants from benefit cuts are leading to supported housing and hostel accommodation becoming ‘clogged up.'
If European people were to be moved from supported housing some will have their housing benefit cut due to welfare reforms that came into effect in April, reports Inside Housing.
Migrants from the European Economic Area who are not in work are no longer eligible to claim any housing benefit. Migrants who were already claiming before 1 April were given ‘transitional protection' from the changes until there is a break in their claim, for example they move out of a local authority area or a sanction.
Amanda Croome, director of the Booth Centre, a Manchester-based advice and support service for homeless people, said: "I'm aware of cases where people are not being moved on to avoid a break in claim. Supported housing and hostels are becoming silted up as a result."
An officer for single homeless people at one London council, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We can't move them on from supported housing because, if we move them on, they break their claim and lose their housing benefit."
Helen Mathie, head of policy for Homeless Link, said: "It is alarming to see signs that this policy change may be creating an additional barrier for many people who are looking to move into work or a new tenancy."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 11 Sep
New service to support homeless people in Birmingham
A new dedicated Homeless Street Triage car will be responding to the rising number of calls reporting homelessness, begging and anti-social drinking in the city, reports 24dash.In the last year –...
- 09 Sep
Gym in Kent hopes to improve health and fitness of homeless people
Riverside is a specialist in working with single homeless people to help them get their lives back on track and into accommodation. Their new project, a gymnasium, has been funded by the Riverside...
- 08 Sep
The cost of homelessness in Hackney doubles
Figures have shown that the cost of homelessness in 2009/10 was £3,092,255 compared to £7,167,440 in 2014/15, with a cut on staff spending from £3,239,653 to £2,608,491 reports 24dash.Hackney...
- 04 Sep
Two homelessness services to be investigated
The Scottish Housing Regulator is set to investigate every aspect of services offered by Dumfries and Galloway Council, whilst also examining how homeless people access help and support at Scottish...
- 03 Sep
Homeless project for young people under threat due to cuts
Platform for Life was expected to attract interest from numerous housing associations with its scheme to convert properties into accommodation for young people in further education, training or work,...
- 01 Sep
Charities warns Irish government of homelessness crisis
Social Justice Ireland is calling for a new funding system that will meet the demand and reveal that only 20 council homes for families have been completed within the first three months of this year,...
- 26 Aug
Newspaper office to become a centre for homeless people
The old office for the Doncaster Free Press is being transformed into flats and other facilities for people who are homeless, reports Hold the Front Page. The building is being turned into...
- 20 Aug
Cuts leaving people in Cheltenham needing homelessness support
Bosses at CCP and Cheltenham Borough Council have said the “devastating impact” of benefit cuts in the town are causing issues for many people, report the Gloucestershire Echo.Over the past few...
- 19 Aug
Concern that homelessness in Cambridge is at ‘tipping point’
Not only do figures show a rise in quarterly numbers by 24 households, they also reveal that over 350 cases were placed in temporary accommodation over the last year, which was a rise of 50 cases on...
- 11 Aug
Charities say Wales is “setting an example” for homelessness
A joint report by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has praised Welsh laws that are trying to address the issues of homelessness, reports the BBC.However they warn that the removal of...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "Sincere thanks to Michael Patterson for an excellent presentation on the HB Reform issues in Leeds last week, and for all the very helpful info and links. I do intend to respond on behalf of our organisation, Caring For Life, but feel that Support Solutions' response is excellent." E.S. - Caring for Life
