22 August 2003
Government plans to cut the housing benefit of people accused of antisocial behaviour have been widely condemned.
A coalition of 27 organisations, including Shelter and the Chartered Institute of Housing, has warned that the proposals are discriminatory and will lead to further homelessness.
According to Shelter, ministers should do more to tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour instead of shifting the disruption into a different neighbourhood.
'This is a gimmick that may sound tough, but it will not deal with the problem,' said Ben Jackson, Shelter's director of external affairs.
Other members of the coalition include the Local Government Association, the Tenants Participation Advisory Group and the Law Society.
Consultations on the proposals closed on August 12.
'More often than not the applicant for benefit is not the perpetrator of nuisance emanating from the household,' said Tim Winter, the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group national organiser. 'Antisocial behaviour orders and injunctions are more effective remedies in such cases.'
PFaug2003
