Section: Welfare Benefits
Universal Credit report highlights difficulties for landlords and tenants
Posted 14.12.17
Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) : Article link
In light of recent changes to Universal Credit (UC) in the Autumn Budget, the NHC has launched its report, Impact of Universal Credit - The Frontline Perspective, which summarises the results of a year-long study of UC, highlighting the experiences of 85 of its member organisations and their tenants across the North.
Key concerns that have emerged include the following:
- 95% of participants reported that their tenants were having difficulty in meeting housing costs. The NHC welcomed the extension of Housing Benefit announced recently which will have a significant positive impact on the level of arrears.
- There is a significant impact on landlords, with 92% reporting their staff were spending more time supporting people through the UC process than the Housing Benefit process.
- Communication problems between participants (and their tenants) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - 89% of responding members experienced this.
