Housing association infuriates tenants with 'disgusting' bedroom tax 'no cigs, no bingo' newsletter slur

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

A Manchester housing association has apologised to its tenants after a piece in its latest newsletter appeared to mock those who will be hit by the coming bedroom tax.

Eastlands Homes' 'Streets Ahead' newsletter carried a piece about the bedroom tax that asked tenants if they could "really afford Sky, cigarettes, bingo, drinks and other non-essentials?”

The item has been called "disgusting" and "dreadful" by the social landlord's tenants on its Facebook page.

One commenter wrote: "I find the suggestions made by this housing association offensive in the extreme. I understand what you're trying to say, however, would you REALLY want people to have absolutely NO social activity and no pleasure at all just because they're on benefits?"

In a statement, Eastlands said: "We're sorry if our article offended you.

“We've lobbied continuously against the government cuts which threaten the quality of life for many of our customers. We've increased the range of support and advice for anyone struggling in the face of these cuts as you will see from our newsletter.

"We know there will be stark choices – our message is that we are here to help wherever possible and we're sorry if we worded that clumsily.”

Eastlands Housing manages around 8,000 homes in the Manchester area.