The City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Strategy Committee agreed to adopt a ‘no eviction’ policy for council tenants last week. The policy is in response to a series of national welfare reforms such as the new Under-Occupancy Restrictions (often referred to as the ‘bedroom tax’) which is expected to affect thousands of Edinburgh residents who receive housing benefits.
Where the Director of Services for Communities is satisfied that tenants subject to the under occupancy restrictions have done all they can to avoid falling into arrears and are actively engaging with Housing staff, they should not be evicted for failing to pay the part of their rent which is due to the new restrictions.
Convener of Health, Social Care and Housing, Councillor Ricky Henderson (pictured above), who proposed the motion, said: “We have a lot of challenges ahead and the welfare reforms implemented throughout the UK will have a significant impact on the city. It is essential that people make every effort to pay their rent as this funds housing services and investment. However, this decision will protect our tenants from losing their home due to the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’. We will do all that we can to support the people most affected by these changes and our ‘no eviction’ policy is an important step towards this.”
The Council recently announced that is has strengthened its advice services for people who are concerned about the reforms and has contacted residents who are likely to be affected to make sure they know about the support available to them.
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