Only 5% of rental properties are ‘affordable’ to people getting income-related support. At least 13 million get extra support because their pay is so low or non-existent – a quarter of the adult population.
And the government doesn’t reveal the exact figure. So the reality is even higher.
Housing benefit has been frozen for over three years. But rents are rising rapidly.
Rents on new lettings on property-search website Zoopla have been rising by 10% or more for over a year.
The Tories boast they’ll spend £30 billion on housing benefit this year. But this is going straight into the pockets of greedy overcharging landlords.
Even people in this situation that can find somewhere to live are moving to areas with more crime, higher energy bills, and far away from friends, family, school, work and their support networks.
Millions of workers have been striking for inflation-proof pay rises, so fewer workers need to claim benefits. And benefits need to rise with the cost of living too.
Rents should be capped so they’re actually affordable. Council homes should be built so we actually have control over the housing stock.
