Inclusion London’s evidence to the inquiry into the causes of homelessness

Inclusion London submitted evidence to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee inquiry into the causes of homelessness.

In our evidence we highlighted that over the last 18 months more Disabled people are being evicted and made homeless or are at risk of being evicted than in previous years.  This is due to several factors which include:

• Rents in the private sector in London are rising to unaffordable levels for Disabled people on welfare benefits; more Landlords do not wish to rent to welfare benefit claimants, while others wish to sell their property.
• So called ‘affordable’ homes, (up to 80% of the market rate[1]) are not affordable to many Disabled people.
• Many Disabled people’s incomes have dropped, while their outgoings have increased because of multiple welfare reforms.
• Many initial assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance, (ESA) do not accurately record the true impact of a Disabled person’s impairments. The initial incorrect decisions delays the receipt of welfare benefits for many months, meanwhile Disabled people have to exist on little or no income, causing evictions and homelessness.
• Welfare benefit sanctions have pushed many people into financial difficulties.
• Difficulties in applying for welfare benefits when support is not available, so applications fail and financial difficulties result.

Recommendations

• At a minimum, the accuracy of the initial assessments of both WCA and PIP are improved so Disabled people do not have to exist on little or no income.  However the current WCA does not accurately assess a Disabled person’s capability to work so we recommend that it is totally redesigned based on the social model of disability. The PIP assessment also needs redesigning so the impact and extra costs of being disabled are more accurately assessed.
• Local authorities follow the new guidance so that Housing Benefit is not stopped when claimant’s benefits are sanctioned.
• The sanctions regime which unfairly hits Disabled people is urgently reformed.
• Disabled people are exempt from the under occupancy charge/social housing size criteria.
• Disabled people are exempt from the benefit cap.

Housing

Rents in London are rising fast so it is becoming increasing difficult for Disabled people to live in London, close to networks of support, therefore we recommend that:

• More accessible social housing is built so Disabled people have secure, affordable housing.
• The affordable housing rate for the private sector is set to lower than 80%so that it is affordable to Disabled people on low incomes.
• We recommend that rents are controlled in the private sector so Disabled people on low incomes can continue to live in our capital city and do not face the threat of eviction.  Rent caps were introduced in Paris, and Berlin in 2015, and New York has rent controls, so we recommend that London also adopts rent caps.

Download the consultation response below:

Inclusion London evidence Homelessness inquiry CLG Committee inquiry 2016 (Final)

 

[1]  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-rented-housing-sector/2010-to-2015-government-policy-rented-housing-sector