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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/27/cuts-to-social-housing-that-would-hit-most-vulnerable-postponed
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| Cuts to social housing that would hit most vulnerable postponed | Cuts to social housing that would hit most vulnerable postponed |
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| Housing benefits cuts that would hit the most vulnerable people living in social housing will be deferred for a year until a review of the sector has been completed, the government has announced. | |
| The government had planned to roll-out new caps on housing benefit across the social housing sector in April. The National Housing Federation (NHF) previously warned that the cap could force the closure of 82,000 specialist homes, which cater for people such as the elderly, homeless, disabled and domestic violence victims. | The government had planned to roll-out new caps on housing benefit across the social housing sector in April. The National Housing Federation (NHF) previously warned that the cap could force the closure of 82,000 specialist homes, which cater for people such as the elderly, homeless, disabled and domestic violence victims. |
| The NHF said more than 50,000 households could lose an average of £68 per week each from the caps, and that this would make 41% of specialist housing – which is more expensive than normal social housing – unviable. | The NHF said more than 50,000 households could lose an average of £68 per week each from the caps, and that this would make 41% of specialist housing – which is more expensive than normal social housing – unviable. |
| During an opposition day debate on the proposed cuts to benefits and supported housing, on Wednesday, housing minister Brandon Lewis said the review would include extensive consultation with local authorities and supported accommodation commissioners and would report by March. | During an opposition day debate on the proposed cuts to benefits and supported housing, on Wednesday, housing minister Brandon Lewis said the review would include extensive consultation with local authorities and supported accommodation commissioners and would report by March. |
| Related: The benefit cap puts housing at risk for more than 400,000 vulnerable people | Sinéad Butters | Related: The benefit cap puts housing at risk for more than 400,000 vulnerable people | Sinéad Butters |
| “We will get the findings of the review in the spring and we will work with the sector to ensure essential services they deliver continue to be provided whilse protecting the taxpayer, making sure that we make best use of the taxpayers’ money and meet government’s fiscal commitments. And we will look urgently at this to provide certainty for the public sector,” the minister told MPs. | “We will get the findings of the review in the spring and we will work with the sector to ensure essential services they deliver continue to be provided whilse protecting the taxpayer, making sure that we make best use of the taxpayers’ money and meet government’s fiscal commitments. And we will look urgently at this to provide certainty for the public sector,” the minister told MPs. |
| The cap, which will bring housing benefit for social housing tenants in line with the private sector, was announced by the chancellor, George Osborne, in the autumn statement in November. | The cap, which will bring housing benefit for social housing tenants in line with the private sector, was announced by the chancellor, George Osborne, in the autumn statement in November. |
| Housing associations argue that they need to charge higher rent for supported housing because of the costs of intensive care services provided by specialist housing staff. | Housing associations argue that they need to charge higher rent for supported housing because of the costs of intensive care services provided by specialist housing staff. |
| The shadow housing minister, John Healey, called on the government to exempt supported housing entirely from the cuts. He said that for many people there was “no alternative other than hospital or residential care” to supported housing and this is “much more institutionalised for the residents, much more expensive for the taxpayer”. | The shadow housing minister, John Healey, called on the government to exempt supported housing entirely from the cuts. He said that for many people there was “no alternative other than hospital or residential care” to supported housing and this is “much more institutionalised for the residents, much more expensive for the taxpayer”. |
| Simon Hoare, the Conservative MP for North Dorset, said there was nothing kind or caring about trying to “prop up an inflated and unsustainable” welfare system. “I’m not annoyed by the fact that this is being debated or that this important issue has been tabled, but by the odour of smug hand-wringing which has come from the party opposite and their crocodile tears that they, in essence, as they always try to purport, have a monopoly on caring. | Simon Hoare, the Conservative MP for North Dorset, said there was nothing kind or caring about trying to “prop up an inflated and unsustainable” welfare system. “I’m not annoyed by the fact that this is being debated or that this important issue has been tabled, but by the odour of smug hand-wringing which has come from the party opposite and their crocodile tears that they, in essence, as they always try to purport, have a monopoly on caring. |
| “They believe that somehow or other that we are the nasty bunch that really couldn’t give a damn about anything, and we’re not. We all have constituents who are in sheltered housing and we want to make sure of the best provision for them.” | “They believe that somehow or other that we are the nasty bunch that really couldn’t give a damn about anything, and we’re not. We all have constituents who are in sheltered housing and we want to make sure of the best provision for them.” |
| Denise Hatton, chief executive of the youth charity YMCA England, said she was pleased the government had listened to the concerns of the sector. “Organisations such as YMCA play a vital role in helping young people to move on from homelessness and overcome their often complex support needs,” she said. | Denise Hatton, chief executive of the youth charity YMCA England, said she was pleased the government had listened to the concerns of the sector. “Organisations such as YMCA play a vital role in helping young people to move on from homelessness and overcome their often complex support needs,” she said. |
| “Operating on such tight financial margins means that housing benefit forms a vital part of this supported housing funding. We hope this time is used to work together to create a funding model that meets the government’s own pressures while also addressing the needs of the vulnerable people the sector supports 365-days-a-year.” | “Operating on such tight financial margins means that housing benefit forms a vital part of this supported housing funding. We hope this time is used to work together to create a funding model that meets the government’s own pressures while also addressing the needs of the vulnerable people the sector supports 365-days-a-year.” |