Homeless Link submits evidence to Work and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry on impact of changes to Housing Benefit

Published by Homeless Link for Homeless Link in Housing and also in Central Government, Local Government

The Emergency Budget on 23rd June outlined significant changes to housing benefit.  These changes include resetting LHA rates at the 30th percentile of local rents, reducing housing benefit to 90% after 12 months for claimants of Jobseekers’ Allowance, and uprating local Housing Allowance rates based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  Some changes come in to effect from April 2011, and others later on following passage of secondary legislation. 

Homeless Link has submitted evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry, and the Social Security Advisory Committee inquiry. The submission outlines our concerns that the changes to housing benefit will impact on the most vulnerable people in society. We feel many of the changes outlined by the Emergency Budget pose serious risks to:

• the wellbeing of people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness
• the sustainability of homelessness organisations, which in turn will undermine the support offered to homeless people and other vulnerable groups