KHT backs ‘bedroom tax’ campaign

Friday 27th January 2012

Knowsley Housing Trust is backing a campaign to fight a 'bedroom tax' on tenants considered to be under occupying their homes.

In February MPs have a chance to vote to stop the Government's plans to cut the housing benefit of social tenants deemed to be 'under-occupying' - living in homes with one or more spare bedrooms - to free up larger properties.

KHT has joined housing associations across the country in writing to its local MP to ask them to vote against the cuts, as part of a National Housing Federation campaign.

The NHF says the planned cuts - which could see tenants lose up to £26 a week in housing benefit - are effectively a 'bedroom tax' and will have 'disastrous implications for a huge number of people already struggling to make ends meet'.

KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor said: "There is a desperate housing shortage and we understand the need to free up homes, reduce overcrowding and make the best use of the stock available.

"But we do not believe this is the right way of going about it and it will push many into financial hardship, and possibly homelessness.

"The Government's definition of under occupying does not take into account different family circumstances, such as those with a disability living in specially adapted homes, foster families or single parents sharing childcare.

"While there are many who would willingly downsize their home, many more have a genuine need for the extra space and they would face great difficulty in paying their rent if these cuts go ahead."

Posted by 0 for Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT)