Bedroom tax blast for Government

CATH GREEN: “Our message to customers who are worried about how the changes will affect them is to get in contact with us as soon as possible. We have support available”

Housing boss on attack over unfair welfare reforms
THE chief executive of First Choice Homes Oldham has slammed the controversial “bedroom tax”.

Cath Green hit out at the Government’s recent welfare reforms, arguing that the changes will hurt the most vulnerable in society and could lead to increasing demand for social services and mental health provisions.

She said: “I agreed with the Government that the welfare system was in need of a shake-up. However the speed and implementation of the changes, particularly the bedroom tax, has given people and organisations very limited time to prepare and I think that is very unfair.”

Ms Green said First Choice had experienced the problems at firt hand, with customers distressed and anxious about the effect on them.

She explained: “It will only get worse as more people panic and become depressed because they don’t feel they can cope with the changes.

“Social housing was set up to help some of the most vulnerable in society but the changes may lead to people not being able to sustain a tenancy at all.”

Her comments came during a talk at the recent Local Government Association conference in Manchester.

First Choice Homes will ensure that its tenants - 70 per cent of whom receive one or more benefits, are supported with meetings, advice and training.

The housing association, which has 12,000 properties with an average weekly rent of £77, is also calling on customers to contact them if they are worried about meeting housing costs.