Austin Macauley 08 January 2015

Councils in Wales urged to bolster support for tenants as welfare reforms hit home

Welfare reforms have hit tenants in Wales the hardest and social landlords are struggling to cope with the fallout, a public spending watchdog has warned.

Changes such as the bedroom tax have seen poverty and debt escalate across Wales with rent arrears rising by more than 23% during the first six months after changes came into force.

A report by the auditor general for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas, said that despite the predicted impacts too few local authorities had put plans in place to support tenants.

The removal of the spare room subsidy has led to greater demand for smaller homes and yet little has been done to meet that need, according to the report.

It said efforts to support tenants into permanent employment to reduce the impact of welfare reform had been ‘mixed’.

The report found social landlords were spending extra money on staffing and administration to manage empty homes and deal with collecting rent, which has become more complicated since the reforms. The situation is likely to get worse as Universal Credit and direct payment of benefits to tenants rather than landlords is rolled out, it said.

Overall, the report said a greater proportion of tenants had been affected by welfare reforms than in England and Scotland.

The auditor general has called on councils to create a single corporate approach to managing risks created by the shake up and wants all social landlords ‘to improve strategic planning and better coordinate activity to tackle the impact of welfare reform on social housing tenants’.

Mr Vaughan Thomas said: ?‘The welfare reform and in particular the changes to housing benefits are having a significant impact on social housing providers and tenants in Wales.

‘Councils and social housing providers need to work together more closely to find sustainable solutions that will mitigate the risks to tenants that are arising from these changes and the further reforms which are due to be implemented.’

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Audit

Cornwall Council
up to £87,644
Cornwall is at the forefront of innovation Cornwall
Recuriter: Cornwall Council

Head of Change & Portfolio Management

Cornwall Council
up to £87,644
Cornwall is at the forefront of innovation Cornwall
Recuriter: Cornwall Council

Director of Finance and Property Services

West Lothian Council
Up to £142,600
Nestled in the heart of Scotland, West Lothian is a vibrant region Livingston, West Lothian
Recuriter: West Lothian Council

Head of Revenues and Benefits

Ribble Valley Borough Council
£56,080 to £59,525 per annum plus 7.5% lease car contribution
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader for the position of Head of Revenues and Benefits. Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Linkedin Banner