SFHA Responds to Benefits Assessment

The SFHA has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government's assessment of the impacts of the proposed Housing Benefit changes and called for more specific information about the impacts on housing associations and their tenants.

The UK Government's proposed reforms include limiting housing benefit for those deemed to be in "under-occupation" of their homes and a 10% Housing Benefit cut for those on Job Seekers Allowance for more than one year.

The Scottish Government's analysis found that most of the proposed changes would be detrimental, with particular concern about the impact on the commitment to end homelessness by 2012. Restricting Housing Benefit to those deemed to be in under-occupation was viewed as an enormous issue, with 110,000 households estimated to be affected in Scotland. The Government intends further analysis which the SFHA looks forward to.

The SFHA has examined the likely impact of the UK Government's plans to reform housing benefit and concludes it will impact most on those who can least afford it, while increasing the demand for affordable housing in Scotland.

The Federation also revealed that hundreds of people have backed its campaign Housing Benefits. The campaign seeks to highlight the vital role of providing affordable housing in society and the need for a fairer benefits system.

In Scotland, 60% of social rented tenants rely on Housing Benefit to pay all or part of their rent (3). There are over 250,000 applicants on housing association waiting lists.

SFHA Policy and Strategy Director Maureen Watson said:

"Whilst we welcome this report from the Scottish Government, further analysis of the direct impact upon housing associations and their tenants is critical. The report finds that the impacts of Housing Benefit changes will be significant, it only briefly touches on the Universal Credit proposals, and further analysis of this in a would be welcomed.

"Hundreds of people from all over Scotland have signed up to back the SFHA's Housing Benefits campaign, and we are looking to commission research that complements the Scottish Government's work, looking more directly at what the implications will be for our members

"As a member of the Scottish Government's Housing Benefit stakeholder advisory group we will continue to work with the Government and the other members of the group to try to influence the UK Government to rethink these changes. They will have a detrimental impact on some of the most vulnerable people in society."

 

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