Majority of social landlords say welfare policy harms homelessness work

Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the CIH, said: “This research shows that welfare policy is seriously undermining the work that councils and housing associations can do to reduce homelessness.

“The government has stated its commitment to tackle homelessness and the Homelessness Reduction Act, which comes into effect next year, represents significant progress. But it is also clear that welfare policy is directly undermining that effort.

“Policies like the lower benefit cap are leaving people with significant gaps between the help they get with housing costs and their rent and this research highlights the direct impact that is having on the work councils and housing associations are trying to do together to help those most in need.

The University of Sheffield’s Professor David Robinson, who worked on the project, said: “The introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act has been widely welcomed. The act gives councils important new responsibilities and powers.

“However, councils cannot tackle homelessness on their own – they need help. Evidence that the vital role that housing associations traditionally play helping councils to reduce homelessness is being undermined is therefore deeply concerning. These findings underline why we urgently need a co-ordinated effort to tackle homelessness.”