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6 <strong>News</strong>-N-<strong>Views</strong> / Spring 2013 What can I do about it? • Pay the charge (If you would like help preparing a budget our money advice team can help). • Move to an appropriate size property. You can register for an exchange at www.homeswapper.co.uk or a transfer at www.nhaoptions.co.uk • Seek employment and no longer claim housing benefit. The employment and skills team can help you to get into work. • Take in a lodger (please note that written permission is required from the Neighbourhood Team and there are pros and cons to consider, including how this may affect your benefits). Visit www.spareroom.co.uk/bedroomtax to obtain a guide to taking in a lodger. Discretionary housing payment Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) are administered by Newcastle Borough Council. DHPs are additional payments towards rent, paid to benefit customers who need more help with their housing costs over and above their benefit award. The council is given an amount of money to pay out each year as DHPs and cannot spend more than the limit set by the Government. For more information and to download an application form visit www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/advice_content If you need any more advice on the Bedroom Tax please contact us at enquiries@aspirehousing.co.uk or 01782 635200. Changes to council tax benefit Since April 2013, if you are of working age and claim council tax benefit, the amount of support you receive may be cut. This is because the Government is reducing the amount of money available and asking local councils to run their own schemes, which may vary from area to area. Contact Newcastle Borough Council for details. BBC Radio Stoke’s reporter Phil McCann talks to Mr & Mrs Davies about using Homeswapper to beat the Bedroom Tax. Aspire’s income manager Paul Malkin provides advice. Customers who have beaten the Bedroom Tax Since Aspire Housing carried out its roadshow last summer: • 65% of customers have decided to stay and pay • 1% of customers would like to take in a lodger • 12% of customers have asked for support in finding work • 22% of customers want to move to a smaller home • 759 customers have also been contacted and reassured they won’t be affected We are now visiting 150 customers who haven’t yet responded to our campaign, to assess if they are affected by the Bedroom Tax, and if so, how we can offer our support when deciding which option to take.
www.aspirehousing.co.uk / 01782 635200 “We used Homeswapper to find a smaller home” Mr & Mrs Davies (pictured left) had lived in their four-bedroomed family home in Seabridge Road, Clayton, for several years. Over time their children have flown the nest, leaving the house under-occupied under the rules of the Bedroom Tax. “We knew the Bedroom Tax was coming but could not afford to stay and pay, so we decided to do something about it. We had been told about Homeswapper, so we gave it a try. It was really easy to use – we requested that we wanted to stay in Clayton, but to downsize to a smaller home. Not only did we find a smaller home, but it was in the same road as before.” “I have to stay and pay to see my children” Mark Taylor, 45, from Parkfield Close, Silverdale, is a single dad who only sees his children at weekends and during the school holidays. He is living on his own in a two bedroomed flat, so under the rules of the Bedroom Tax, he has one bedroom spare which means 14% of his housing benefit will be cut. His spare bedroom has a bunk bed shared by his two daughters, aged nine and 14, and a single bed used by his son, aged 13. Mark has been unemployed for nine years as he suffers from a spinal condition. New allocations policy A new joint allocations policy was introduced at the end of March, 2013. This introduces some changes linked to welfare reform, including the number of bedrooms that customers on the waiting list can apply for. If you know anyone who is on the housing register, please get them to visit www.nhaoptions.co.uk to find out how the changes may affect them. What is Homeswapper? Six hundred customers have signed up to the Homeswapper service since the official launch on 1 July 2012. It gives customers the option to search for a mutual exchange, not only in this area but across the UK as over 800 landlords are participating. It can be quicker than waiting on a transfer list. Customers looking for a move should register at www.Homeswapper.co.uk Please note that this also now applies to Stoke-on-Trent Housing Society customers who can also register for free. Mark said: “This tax is unfair on single parents. If I can’t accommodate my children, they won’t be able to stay overnight. I’ve been working on online surveys to try and find whatever money I can to pay the tax.” 7
Page 1 and 2: Aspire Housing customer newsletter
Page 3 and 4: www.aspirehousing.co.uk / 01782 635
Page 5: www.aspirehousing.co.uk / 01782 635

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