NHF: Housing benefit cuts for under-25s could cause homelessness

Monday, 25 June 2012 2:40 PM

Responding to plans by David Cameron to stop housing benefit to those under 25 years old, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, which represents England's housing associations, says: 

'We all want a fair housing benefit system that supports those truly in need. A home is fundamental to providing the security people need to hold down jobs and be an active member of their community. Preventing those under-25 from getting help for housing costs may increase homelessness and make it harder for young people to move to where they can find work. There could also be a huge impact on young working families relying on housing benefit to help pay their rent, or disabled people unable to work.

'The best way to keep the housing benefit bill down, by addressing the supply side, is to ensure there are enough decent quality, affordable homes. By supporting housing associations to build more homes, the Government can stimulate growth and keep rents low, which in turn stops people being caught in the poverty trap caused by high rents.

'Housing associations are working hard to implement the latest round of welfare reform changes. We need time to understand what the full impact of these changes will be before instigating more.'

Anna Brosnan
Head of Media
National Housing Federation

Direct telephone: 0207 067 1028
Email: anna.brosnan@housing.org.uk
@AnnaBros
Registered Address:
Lion Court, 25 Procter street, London, WC1V 6NY
Registered in England, number: 302132

The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. We believe that everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford. That’s why we represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing.

Our members provide two and a half million homes for more than five million people. And each year they invest in a diverse range of neighbourhood projects that help create strong, vibrant communities.

Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?

Clare Bevis
Communications Officer, London, South East and East of England
National Housing Federation

Tel: 020 7067 1042

Mobile: 07876 390541

Fax: 020 7067 1011

clare.bevis@housing.org.uk
www.housing.org.uk

Registered Address:
Lion Court, 25 Procter Street, London, WC1V 6NY
Registered in England, number: 302132 

Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

Related stories

'Not rational': MPs scathing over DWP's housing benefit clampdown

Most housing benefit claimants aren't aware of the impending changes, MPs warn

The coalition's housing benefit changes are being hit by scathing criticism from MPs, in a report questioning the fundamental economic justification for the reforms.

comments comments

Housing benefit money 'could solve homes shortage'

IPPR argues that the housing benefit bill money should fund long-term housing investment

Redirecting funds from the £20 billion housing benefit bill could be better spent on long-term housing investment, a think-tank has proposed.

comments comments

Comment: Challenging the false debate on housing benefit

Leslie Morphy is chief executive of the homeless charity Crisis

The current row over the housing benefit cap is obscuring the real impact cuts will have on low income people across the country.

Labour attempts to turn Lib Dem MP on housing benefit vote

The housing benefit changes are set to affect London particularly

A key committee vote to determine support for the government's controversial plans on housing benefit takes place today.

'Wicked bedroom tax': Housing benefit claimants punished for spare bedrooms from today

Housing benefit clampdown on spare bedrooms

Housing benefit claimants are to begin receiving cuts to their payouts from today, as the coalition implements its "wicked bedroom tax".

comments comments

Podcast: The benefit cap bites

A map showing how different areas of London will be affected by housing benefit changes

Are those on benefits being treated unfairly by the coalition? Ministers are preventing them from receiving more than £26k a year, leaving many with nowhere to turn. Just like the rest of us, then…

comments comments

Housing in the UK 'unaffordable'

The UK government needs to invest in affordable housing

The UK property market is so dysfunctional, it forces one in six families to spend over 40% of their income on rent or mortgages, research reveals.

comments comments

Benefit claimants to face lie detectors

Hutton wants claimants to take lie detector test

Benefit claimants will be subjected to routine lie detector tests in an attempt to reduce fraud, the work and pensions minister John Hutton has announced.

Housing minister continues employment push

Flint pushes employment agenda in social housing

New housing minister Caroline Flint today continued to apply her old work and pensions brief to social housing.

Govt unclear over social rent 'lottery'

Questions still unanswered for social housing

Housing experts are struggling to pin the government down over its plans to hike social housing rents to 80% of market value.

Press Releases

NHF: Housing bodies join forces to highlight important of housing to West Midlands economy

NHF: Housing benefit cuts for under-25s could cause homelessness

Bed tax vote will hit thousands, warns NHF

NHF: Leaders’ Forum and Exhibition 2012

NHF: The UK’s housing crisis is showing little sign of recovery, new Government statistics have revealed

NHF: We are delighted that peers have stood firm for common sense and fairness

NHF: 70+ organisations urge MPs to protect poor families tomorrow

NHF: MPs and thinkers to discuss social housing in economic crisis

NHF: Poorest will lose out on £150 energy bill savings – new research reveals

Federation backs calls for clampdown on illegal subletting

More Articles ...

Twitter

Join the conversation at #opinion_formers

Related Opinion Former Press Releases

NHF: Communities across Britain campaign against housing benefit cuts

Thousands of people all over Britain are taking part in a week of grassroots campaigning against the Government's plans to slash housing benefit for some of country's poorest families.

BFAWU: No more Bedroom Tax deaths

Benefit Justice campaigners everywhere are sad and bitter at the heartbreaking death of Stephanie Bottrill. The Government's attack on benefits must not be allowed to kill another person.

NHF: The UK’s housing crisis is showing little sign of recovery, new Government statistics have revealed

Figures released today by the Department for Communities and Local Government report the UK is building not even half the homes needed to ease the country’s housing shortage, even as millions of people are still in need of a home.

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.