Posted by: Isabel Hardman
15/07/2010Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb explains why he is backing the What’s the Benefit? campaign.
A month on from the emergency budget and extreme examples of housing benefit claims continue to dominate some elements of the media.
Yet those in the housing sector know only too well the reality of the impact these cuts will have, delivering a series of devastating blows to over a million households and striking at some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Over the last few weeks, Shelter has been one of many organisations working hard to demonstrate the scale of this impact, which will cause widespread social and personal upheaval and inevitably lead to greater costs to government further down the line.
When the proposed changes come into effect next year, we’re likely to see hundreds of thousands of households priced out of the areas where they live and work, forcing them to migrate to areas with the cheapest housing and pushing them into the bottom end of the private rented sector.
This could spell an end to the mixed communities Britain holds so dear, creating clusters of poverty and inequality on the outskirts of our towns. It certainly seems at odds with the coalition’s aim to move people off benefits and into work, if they cannot afford to live in those areas where work is available.
And what of the fates of those households who, faced with an even greater shortfall to make up their rent, are pushed into a spiral of debt, rising rent arrears, eviction and homelessness?
Undoubtedly we will see a rise in households presenting to their local authorities as homeless. Yet without any additional resources, councils will find it even harder to find affordable accommodation to place them in. This could mean pushing households into substandard housing or into overcrowded conditions.
It’s because of massive repercussions such as these that Inside Housing’s campaign, ‘What’s the Benefit?’, is so important.
There’s no doubt we must do more to demonstrate the long term cost-savings that could be delivered if these plans are reconsidered. But this is not enough. If we are to really convince the government, we must deliver concrete alternatives for housing benefit reform. This campaign is the first step.
Visit our What’s the Benefit? page for more information or sign our petition to support the campaign
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From What's the benefit?
The blog for our What’s the Benefit? campaign, which is calling on the government to find a fairer way to reduce the £21 billion housing benefit bill than its current proposals.
Readers' comments (4)
McMadman | 14/07/2010 5:56 pm
He's right. This is more effective gerrymandering, and on a far bigger scale, than Dame Shirley Potter and homes for votes. Outrageous, shameful and scandalous that we are creating ghettos and large areas of cities that are inaccessible to many. What next - gates at the entrance to Kensington and Chelsea (and much of he rest of central London indeed to physically exclude those financially excluded ?
That way lies civil unrest, just like the poll tax riots. You have been warned.
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| 14/07/2010 9:14 pm
"This could spell an end to the mixed communities Britain holds so dear"
Unfortunately I really won't see any changes in my area of inner city London which is 75% social housing (set against a national average of just 18%) and where 60% of 18-34 year old have NEVER worked.
As they won't be affected.
We won't see inner city benefit ghettos where the majority of the housing stock is "social" (sic) become truly mixed until something is done about both allocations and housing benefit - specifically the amount of time you can claim it - for those in the social housing sector.
So whilst the cap on PSL rents is long overdue, somehow they have missed out on the real target...
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ann gillette | 15/07/2010 11:40 am
Housing Associations have been increasing their rents in recent years by going 5% beyond the government target rent (allowed) and by introducing service charges. Those on Housing Benefit have been silent about these stealthy rises, because of course it didn't matter to them. Those with low incomes and on minimum wage who pay their rent are in the minority, have seen their meagre income eaten away.
Well now housing benefit claiments also know what it feels like, so instead of compaigning for benefits perhaps we could campaign for affordable rents, or we will soon all be claiming HB
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Sidney Webb | 15/07/2010 12:28 pm
Hear hear AG
Cap rents, don't punish tenants!!
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