William Eichler 22 May 2017

Social tenants face multi-million pound rent gap from benefit reform

Thousands of young people in Scotland could face a £22.6m rent gap from planned housing benefit reforms, research reveals.

An estimated 21,000 social tenants across Scotland aged under 35 could be adversely affected by UK Government plans to cap housing benefit for social housing tenants from April 2019.

According to an interim report on the impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap on young people in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish government, these young tenants could collectively face a rent affordability gap of up to £22.6m annually.

The Government proposes to bring payments for social housing tenants in line with those living in the private rented sector.

Legislation to implement these proposals has yet to be introduced. However, as they currently stand, single people under 35 years of age will see their allowance capped at the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR).

The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland, the think tank that carried out the research, found comparing DWP claimant data on average awards received by young Housing Benefit claimants with the SAR produces an annual estimated rent gap across Scotland of £22.8m.

Housing Association rents are typically higher than local authorities and so will be affected more by the proposed LHA cap.

Commenting on the findings of the interim report, CIH Scotland executive director Annie Mauger said: ‘Identifying how we might mitigate against the negative impact of the LHA cap on younger social tenants is an ongoing work in progress and a final report will be published at the end of July.

‘But this interim report clearly shows the potential scale of the problem across Scotland.

‘The intention behind this report is to be able to show exactly how social tenants aged under 35 will be affected and hopefully to exert some additional pressure on the UK Government to change its plans before they are due to enter into force in April 2019.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Employment Vetting Officer

Essex County Council
£26090.00 - £30693.00 per annum
Employment Vetting OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,090 to £30,693 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker Level 2

Royal Borough of Greenwich
PO3 - £45,750 to £49,056
We are pleased to inform you that an opportunity for a Level 2 Social Worker has become available Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner