HUNDREDS of vulnerable residents in York could lose out

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 13th Mar 2008

HUNDREDS of vulnerable residents in York could lose out, under a shake-up of housing rents.

Madeleine Kirk, Parliamentary Spokesperson for York Outer supports City of York Council's deputy leader Councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball's attack on the "fundamentally unfair" system that could see huge numbers of pensioners suffer, and called for the scheme to be put on hold as the changes could unfairly affect up to 42% of those living in privately rented accommodation who claim housing benefits.

Madeleine Kirk said:

"It is an established fact that privately rented accommodation in York is significantly higher than in Selby and other areas in commuting distance. With the introduction of the Local Housing Allowance which is tying York in with other parts of North Yorkshire where the average rents are lower many of our residents could be faced with having their housing benefits cut"