Cuts to supported housing services that begin this week will reduce help for vulnerable people, housing experts have warned.
A Chartered Institute of Housing survey has found concerns that services will close as a result of the cuts, potentially increasing homelessness and pressure on more acute health and care services.
The CIH asked members of its 300-strong housing panel for their views on the cuts. Sixty per cent said they expected cuts from 1 April, putting the figure at between 10 and 50 per cent in the first year.
Twenty seven per cent predicted this would lead to a reduction in services, with 17 per cent saying there would be an increase in homelessness, and 15 per cent saying there would be stuff cuts.
To lessen the impact of the cuts, 13 per cent said they are reviewing service provision, and 10 per cent said they are looking at more partnership working. Other proposals included reviewing who could access services, and increasing charges.
Domini Gunn, who begins work as director of public health and vulnerable communities at the CIH next month, said: ‘We are beginning to see a clearer picture of the pressure that housing support services are under as they work with significantly lower budgets and try to protect their most vulnerable tenants.’
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