Welfare Action Week is a national week of action starting on 10 October, organised by the National Housing Federation, the trade body for housing associations, to raise awareness of the harsh reality of the Government’s proposed welfare changes.
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nearly 8000 social rented homes in Cornwall, with 62% of their residents receiving some help with rent payments through Housing Benefit. Around 48% of their tenants receive Housing Benefit to cover their rent in full.
Under the Welfare Reform Bill, which is going through Parliament, the Government is proposing a number of measures including increased non-dependant deductions, payment of housing costs according to need (cutting benefit for social housing tenants deemed to have a ‘spare bedroom’), introducing a cap on the overall amount of benefit that families can claim, and payment of the housing cost element of the Universal Credit to tenants (removing tenants’ choice to have this paid to their landlord).
Adrienne Viney a PHA resident from Hayle said: "As I already struggle to access banking services because of my physical disabilities, I feel that the Government's intention to pay Housing Benefit directly to tenants rather than PHA will leave me at an unfair disadvantage."
Catherine Bosworth from Trewellard added: "Housing Benefit being paid direct into my bank account each month would not be good for me as I suffer from a long-term illness which makes me forget things. I will end up forgetting to pay my rent. Not only that but if the Housing Benefit is paid into my bank and I am overdrawn it will end up paying my overdraft and I will end up with rent arrears. It would be an additional worry that I don't need and could end up making me more ill."
PHA staff and residents have arranged to meet with local MPs including Andrew George, Stephen Gilbert and Sarah Newton during Welfare Action Week, asking that they support this campaign and lobby against these measures in Parliament. Letters have also been written to Lord Freud, the Welfare Reform Minister to ask that he reconsiders the proposals.