NHF: 'Work or lose home' scheme would be unfair and impossible to enforce

Tuesday, 5 February 2008 12:00 AM

The National Housing Federation, which represents England's housing associations, says that a 'work or lose your home' policy for social housing tenants would be unfair and impossible to enforce.

Chief executive of the National Housing Federation David Orr said: "Efforts to help social housing tenants into work are very welcome. But threatening tenants with the loss of their home is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.

"Such a policy would be unfair and impossible to enforce. Many of the jobs open to people, especially at the lower skills end, are insecure or temporary. Also, people with health problems, such as mental health issues may find there are periods when they cannot keep up their job.

"Instead of taking a punitive approach, the Government should build upon the successful employment schemes already being run by housing associations around the country.

"In Yorkshire and Humberside alone, where Caroline Flint's constituency is based, housing associations have provided training to 16,600 people over the last five years, and helped 2,800 young people to gain formal qualifications."

ENDS

For further information contact:

Paul Rees, paulrees@housing.org.uk, 020 7067 1026 / 07974 826587
Joe Dumont, joed@housing.org.uk, 020 7067 1028 / 07990 638946

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