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Homeless fears in benefits shift
LAUNCH DATE: John Donnellon, Chris Wright, Alan Ward, Paul Bamber, John Cottam and Mark Broadhurst at the Solaris Centre in Blackpool
HUNDREDS of people in Blackpool face being made homeless under changes to housing benefit, a leading charity warned today.
Homelessness charity Crisis says government statistics show 720 people in the resort could lose their homes and fears many may be forced to sleep rough.
Currently, single under 25-year-olds are restricted to the lower Shared Accommodation Rate of housing benefit which is based on the cost of a room in a shared house, rather than a one-bed flat.
From next January, the rate will be extended to apply to anyone single aged under 35.
Crisis fears vulnerable groups including women escaping domestic violence could suffer under the measures. Blackpool is ranked 11th worst affected town in the country.
Crisis chief executive Leslie Morphy said: “This cut will lead to thousands of people losing their homes across the country and Blackpool is among the worst hit. We are extremely concerned some will end up homeless and at worst on the streets. It will also be a barrier for homeless people in hostels trying to move on into a more settled home.”
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
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