Housing sector braces itself for ‘years of pain’

Spending cuts blamed for rising benefit bill

Housing bodies have blamed swingeing government spending cuts for adding nearly £2 billion to the cost of housing benefit over the next five years.

Leaders warn of worsening social housing crisis

Social housing leaders believe the sector is in crisis and the situation is likely to get worse.

Paying your way

Borrowing forecasts rise as economy falters

Chancellor George Osborne has increased UK government borrowing forecasts and reduced growth predictions in his autumn statement today.

Housing staff strike as 700,000 face job loss

Social landlords across the UK battled to keep crucial services open during the national public sector strike over pension changes.

Health check

Can living in an energy-efficient home improve residents’ well-being? Gentoo’s latest retrofit pilot aims to find out. Martin Hilditch reports

Support on a shoestring

Budgets are being slashed and demand is up but, as Inside Housing and Capita’s exclusive Supporting People survey reveals, many care and support providers are maintaining services for vulnerable people. Lydia Stockdale finds out how they are doing it and if it can last.

The legal aid lifeline

Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes

Battening down the hatches

Inside Housing’s exclusive salary survey shows it’s been a difficult 12 months for most housing employees. Simon Brandon reports on the regime of pay freezes and increased workloads introduced by organisations as they battle the economic gloom

Get some expert advice

Every week Inside Housing’s Need to Know section brings you best practice advice and information on the subjects most concerning you. Free with today’s magazine is the first ever Need to Know supplement. Here our Ask the Experts panel answer some of the key questions it raises