This evaluation sought to understand the impact of the size criteria on claimants, landlords and other stakeholders and to explore how households responded to the reduction in their benefits.
CCHPR, together with Ipsos MORI, were commissioned by the DWP to evaluate housing benefit changes in the social rented sector. The ‘removal of the spare room subsidy’ involved introducing size criteria for the social rented sector, in April 2013 in order to reduce housing benefit for working age tenants deemed to have spare bedrooms. This was part of a range of welfare reform measures, including the household benefit cap, to reduce expenditure and improve work incentives. Social tenants of working age who under-occupy will lose either 14% or 25% of their eligible housing benefit, depending on whether they have one or two or more spare rooms.
Evaluation of Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy: Final Report
The Final Report from the Evaluation of the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (often referred to as the 'bedroom tax'), carried out jointly by CCHPR and Ipsos Mori, has been published. The report explores the effects of the cuts to Housing Benefit for working age social housing tenants who are deemd to be under-occupying their home.
Evaluation of Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy: Interim Report
The Interim Report from the Evaluation of the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (often referred to as the 'bedroom tax'), carried out jointly by CCHPR and Ipsos Mori, has been published. The report explores the effects of the cuts to Housing Benefit for working age social housing tenants who are deemed to be under-occupying their home.
Supporting households affected by the Benefit Cap: Impact on Local Authorities, local services and social landlords
This research was carried out for the Department for Work and Pensions as part of a programme of work analysing the impact of the Benefit Cap. The Benefit Cap was brought in over the summer of 2013 and limits working age benefits for out of work households to £500 a week for families and couples, and £350 for single person households. This report highlights the key findings from work in ten case study local authorities, including: interviews with local authority staff, local agencies and Housing Associations; a nationwide survey of social landlords; and consultation with major lenders to the Housing Association sector. It provides information on how local agencies have been affected by the Benefit Cap and how they are working with capped claimants.
