Housing benefit: defend tenants’ right to choose

Published by Ross Macmillan for Merlin Housing Society in Housing

'Defend tenants’ right to choose' is the message Merlin Housing Society are giving to ministers and local MPs, as part of the National Housing Federation’s campaign against proposed changes to how benefit payments are made.  

Changes proposed under the Welfare Reform Bill will see social housing residents get benefit paid directly to them, bypassing the current system where there is an option to have Housing Benefit paid direct to their housing association.

Rob Hawkins, Merlin’s Financial Inclusion Manager said: “We firmly believe our residents should keep the option to have their benefit paid direct to us. The majority of those on Housing Benefit opt in for direct payments because it’s one less thing for them to think about each month. It’s really important they continue to be able to do this to avoid going into rent arrears.

“If a resident does go into arrears, they put their tenancy at risk and could even lose their home. Having a stable tenancy has a direct impact on family life, health and wellbeing.

“An increase in rent arrears may also impact our other services as we’ll have less money to spend on things like estate management, community investment and the promotion of financial and social inclusion due to the increased costs of arrears administration.”

The Welfare Reform Bill is currently going through parliament.