Rotherham homelessness charities say they may have to close
It's claimed more than 200 people in Rotherham could be made homeless through government changes to housing benefit.
It's claimed more than 200 people in Rotherham could be made homeless through government changes to housing benefit.
Two local charities have told Hallam they'll lose thousands of pounds of funding.
Target Housing and Rush House say they might have to close their doors, forcing around 110 vulnerable people back onto the streets if the cuts are implemented.
The charities - which have both been operating in the town for decades - say they'll lose out on £8,000 a week collectively if the changes come in and will have to cut back services to a bare minimum, if not close altogether.
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Planning John Healey visited the charities to discuss with staff and service users the full impact the changes will have locally.
“The people who will lose out will be some of the most vulnerable people in the country," he said.
"But it also means that someone else will have to pick up the bill, and that will be the Council and council taxpayers. More people will end up in hospital or back in prison. So, it’s a short-term cut that will have long-term costs for the taxpayer as well as causing a lot of anguish for people that will be directly affected.”
The government says it values the work of the supported accommodation sector and is working with it to explore the long-term funding options.
In the meantime it says it's deferred the local housing cap for supported accommodation - and has launched a review to look at the issue.