Benefit cap prompts B&B fears for 26,000 families

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Health, Legal, Local Government

The National Housing Federation (NHF) wants the Government to clarify next April’s benefit cap rules amid concern that some 26,000 homeless families living in short-term ‘crisis homes’ leased by councils and housing associations could be forced into B&Bs or onto the streets.

The Federation highlights a 44% rise in B&B use nationwide in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period last year – up from 2,750 to 3,960.

It also highlights that 2011 and 2012 saw consecutive rises in overall numbers of homeless – rising from 40,020 in 2009/10 to 50,290 in 2011/12.

In addition to B&B use, some 26,000 homeless families are living in so-called ‘crisis’ accommodation - short-term properties leased by councils and housing associations - which is generally more stable and secure than B&Bs, with the space and access required for children to live a normal life and for parents to work their way out of homelessness.

However, the Federation has warned that from April 2013, families living in these crisis homes could be hit by the new benefit cap, which will limit the total amount of benefit they can claim to £500 a week.

As short-term emergency accommodation is more expensive to rent and manage, this could mean families are unable to pay the rent – pushing them back into B&Bs, or even on to the streets, it argues.

It’s urging the Government to confirm how the benefit cap will affect people living in temporary accommodation and what measures will be taken to protect the service.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “In a B&B whole families can find themselves sharing one room and they are often shut out of their accommodation during the day, causing huge disruption to daily routines of school and work. Every child deserves a decent home to come back to after school, where they feel secure, and where they can sit down to do their homework. That is what temporary accommodation provides.

“Without the safety net of temporary accommodation, thousands more families will find themselves in a vicious cycle of homelessness.

“It is essential that the Government puts in place measures to protect this crucial service and the vulnerable families who depend on it.”