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Are welfare policies undermining efforts to cut homelessness?

The majority of councils and housing associations believe government welfare policies are undermining their efforts to tackle homelessness.

Research published today by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the University of Sheffield shows 84% of councils and 70% of housing associations surveyed think welfare policies such as the benefit cap are ‘impacting negatively’ on their work in this area.

In addition, 71% of housing associations and 72% of local authorities also said changes to funding levels were undermining the contribution they could make to tackling homelessness.

When asked the most common reasons for housing associations rejecting nominations of homeless households, 49% of housing associations and 61% of councils said limited entitlement to welfare assistance was the most common reason.

The report adds that a number of policies, which have been introduced since 2010 have ‘combined to create an environment that limits the availability of genuinely a affordable housing’.

’Alongside voluntary sector agencies, housing associations remain important partners in the reduction and prevention of homelessness, but their contribution is currently being undermined by policies that threaten their financial viability and ability to prioritise the needs of people most in housing need,’ the report states.

It calls on the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Communities and Local Government to conduct an urgent review of the role their policies are playing in undermining efforts to tackle homelessness.

The report also recommends local authorities co-produce homelessness strategies that spell out the roles and responsibilities of different local partners – including housing associations.

Local authorities and housing associations should also develop a locally agreed framework for pre-tenancy assessment criteria, which includes pro-active consideration of a affordability and support needs to maximise opportunities to support access to sustainable tenancies.

‘This research shows that welfare policy is seriously undermining the work that councils and housing associations can do to reduce homelessness,’ said Chartered Institute of Housing chief executive, Terrie Alafat.

‘The government has stated its commitment to tackle homelessness and the Homelessness Reduction Act, which comes into effect next year, represents significant progress. But it is also clear that welfare policy is directly undermining that effort.

‘Policies like the lower benefit cap are leaving people with significant gaps between the help they get with housing costs and their rent and this research highlights the direct impact that is having on the work councils and housing associations are trying to do together to help those most in need,’ added the chief executive.

‘We know from experience that tackling homelessness is possible but it requires a commitment from all government departments. If the government is serious about tackling our homelessness crisis it must urgently consider how it can create a policy framework which supports, and not undermines, what councils and housing associations can achieve together to tackle this huge problem.’

Jamie Hailstone
Senior reporter - NewStart

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