Major housing groups say proposals to stop benefit to antisocial tenants are misguided
THE country's biggest social housing bodies have told benefits minister Malcolm Wicks that they have serious misgivings over plans to strip housing benefit from antisocial tenants.

The chief executives of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation, the chairman of the Local Government Association Housing Executive and Shelter's director of policy all signed a letter sent to Wicks this week. It said: "The decision to evict should be based on the facts about the case and the impact of the [offender's] behaviour on the local community, rather than indirectly through the withdrawal of housing benefit."

The controversial plan is part of the Housing Benefit (Withholding Payments) Bill, sponsored by Labour MP Frank Field.

The groups also warned that:

  • councils will have to pick up the cost of housing those made homeless after being evicted for non-payment of rent because their benefits have been withdrawn
  • it could be "the last straw" for private landlords who already dislike letting to people claiming housing benefit because of problems with administration
  • landlords could withdraw support for antisocial behaviour orders if they feel eviction is inappropriate in a particular case, and will possibly be deterred by the potential loss of revenue and the impact this could have on the services they could provide
  • the bill will counteract government objectives to reduce homelessness and the number of families living in temporary accommodation
  • it could stigmatise tenants and hinder social inclusion.

Institute policy officer Sam Lister said: "There are enough legal remedies already. Research has shown there needs to be more emphasis on educating people about the consequences of their behaviour." Because antisocial behaviour ranged from "irritating stuff to criminal behaviour", a "one size fits all" punishment would be unfair, he added.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions said Wicks will respond personally to the letter.

She said the DWP recognised that "a little bit of work" was still needed on the bill, which will go before a parliamentary committee later this month.

Source

Housing Today