March 2016 – Benefit Cap for Social Housing
Although there will be a one year delay in capping housing benefit for social sector tenants in supported accommodation (meaning that restrictions will not come into force until April 2017) moves to defeat the proposal have so far failed. As a result, up to 440,000 vulnerable people could be at risk through cuts to social housing rents and the impact of capping housing benefit at local housing allowance levels.
When the cap does come into effect it will impact on refuges for those fleeing domestic abuse, homeless provision, housing for ex-offenders, as well as supported housing for older and disabled people, those living in housing co-operatives, alms houses and Community Land Trusts.
Many social housing providers have called for all supported housing schemes to be exempt from the governments changes, saying that the proposals jeopardise the financial viability of specialist housing with extra care for the frail elderly, dementia care schemes, support schemes for young people leaving care, for women fleeing domestic violence, for those recovering from alcohol and substance misuse, for those with mental health issues and for those with physical and / or learning disabilities.
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