Tenants ’resisting’ downsizing for the ’bedroom tax’

Despite the financial pressure of the 'bedroom tax', social housing tenants are resistant to downsizing in Scotland. That is the conclusion of research published today (Sunday 20 October) by the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee. Professor in Housing Economics at the University of Glasgow, Professor Kenneth Gibb, has undertaken an examination of the scale and depth of the impact of the 'bedroom tax' and the capacity of the system to meet downsizing demands. He concludes that the pull factors that keep people in their homes and existing communities are outweighing the push factor of the 'bedroom tax'. His report also looks to the future of the housing system, outlining the anticipated impact on housing supply and money advice services in particular. The Welfare Reform Committee commissioned the research to build upon the evidence it has taken on the issue from both tenants affected as well as housing providers and local authorities. The research also highlights that: At least one third of one-bedroom properties are required to house the homeless and not available to 'bedroom tax' payers wishing to down-size.