Shelter warned against the implementation of governmens proposals to stop benefit payments for up to a year for tenants convicted of antisocial behaviour twice in three years.
"This idea simply will not work," said Ben Jackson, director of external . "Taking away housing benefit will make families homeless and local authorities will then have to house them in expensive temporary accommodation.
"It will not tackle the causes of antisocial behaviour. The housing benefit system is already in a mess – trying to use it as a means of social control will only make matters worse."
The measures proposed, set out in a private members bill by former social security minister Frank Field, are supported by the Department of Work and Pensions and the DTLR, which said the bill was being made more "workable" (Housing Today, 2 May).
A Crisis spokeswoman said: "The bill does not take into account the needs of mentally ill people or those with drug or alcohol addictions. What people need is diagnosis support. Losing their accommodation makes things far worse.
"It will cost the state a lot more if these people in need of help are made homeless."
Anthony Lawton, chief executive of Centrepoint, added: "We would have grave concerns about any proposal to reduce further the level of benefits available to young people. Offering support and affordable, good quality accommodation to those who may be living independently for the first time would be a better way of encouraging people to act as responsible tenants.
The bill is at its committee stage.
Source
Housing Today
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