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| Waltham Forest Council suspends long-distance rehousing | Waltham Forest Council suspends long-distance rehousing |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A local authority in east London has suspended its policy of rehousing residents long distances away. | A local authority in east London has suspended its policy of rehousing residents long distances away. |
| Waltham Forest Council says rehousing people as far afield as Walsall in the Midlands, because of changes to housing benefit, has been problematic. | Waltham Forest Council says rehousing people as far afield as Walsall in the Midlands, because of changes to housing benefit, has been problematic. |
| It said it had had fewer than 30 residents in temporary accommodation take up homes on offer outside London. | It said it had had fewer than 30 residents in temporary accommodation take up homes on offer outside London. |
| The policy was criticised after a housing body in Stoke-on-Trent said it was asked by a council 160 miles away. | The policy was criticised after a housing body in Stoke-on-Trent said it was asked by a council 160 miles away. |
| Waltham Forest Council said long-distance locations included Luton in Bedfordshire, and Margate, Kent. | |
| It has concluded, however, that a recent acquisition of housing in Walsall was a step too far and has largely been rejected by residents squeezed by rising rents and benefit caps. | It has concluded, however, that a recent acquisition of housing in Walsall was a step too far and has largely been rejected by residents squeezed by rising rents and benefit caps. |
| Local ties | Local ties |
| As part of its welfare reforms, the government introduced weekly caps on housing benefit of between £250 for a one-bedroom flat and £400 for a four-bedroom property. | As part of its welfare reforms, the government introduced weekly caps on housing benefit of between £250 for a one-bedroom flat and £400 for a four-bedroom property. |
| Local Housing Allowance, which is used to determine housing benefit payments, has also been changed so it is being calculated on the basis of cheaper rents - rather than on the mid-point of rents in an area. | Local Housing Allowance, which is used to determine housing benefit payments, has also been changed so it is being calculated on the basis of cheaper rents - rather than on the mid-point of rents in an area. |
| Waltham Forest has become one of the first councils to suspend procuring more property outside London for the time being, and will now more rigorously consider work, school and family ties. | Waltham Forest has become one of the first councils to suspend procuring more property outside London for the time being, and will now more rigorously consider work, school and family ties. |
| It was also be looking to join a consortium of other London councils aimed at reassigning tenants back to their respective boroughs. | It was also be looking to join a consortium of other London councils aimed at reassigning tenants back to their respective boroughs. |
| Last month Housing Minister Grant Shapps said long-distance relocation was unnecessary and illegal if used as a blanket policy with councils not taking into account peoples links to an area. | Last month Housing Minister Grant Shapps said long-distance relocation was unnecessary and illegal if used as a blanket policy with councils not taking into account peoples links to an area. |