Ely is one of the areas in Cardiff worst affected by the bedroom tax
Across Cardiff, social housing tenants are being plunged into debt. The cause? Recent changes to social housing benefit, more commonly known as the bedroom tax. Part of the Welfare Reform Act of 2012, the bedroom tax sees tenants in receipt of housing benefit have their benefits slashed by up to 25% if they are deemed to be under-occupying their house.
Natalie Marie is one of over 1,800 tenants in Cardiff who have been affected by the act. The mother of one explains how she was always previously on time with her rent but since the introduction of the bedroom tax she has fallen into arrears of almost £500. Natalie feels that she is being forced out of her home by the policy, “why I should leave a home I love and have spent my own money on improving?”, she asks in frustration.
This frustration is a common theme amongst tenants who feel that the new legislation is unfair when they are already struggling to make ends meet. Ely resident Gemma Gow is another of the 616 Cardiff tenants to be forced into arrears because of the act. Gemma, who lives with two of her three daughters, feels that the act is hitting vulnerable members of society particularly hard. “We moved here from a refuge for domestic violence”, she explains, “this was supposed to be a safe home for us to settle in.” Because of her mounting rent arrears, Gemma has now been served with a notice to leave her home by 22 December. Gemma feels that the eviction will cause further upheaval to her family, saying, “despite our background of domestic violence we’ve actually made a nice home here, I think the eviction will be detrimental to all our health.”
While tenants are vehemently opposed to the bedroom tax, MP Jennie Willott sees it as a necessary measure given the challenging economic climate. The MP for Cardiff Central suggests that the pressures placed on housing benefit recipients by the bedroom tax are only the same as the pressures applied to those renting or buying in the private sector. “Lot’s of families would love to be able to give each of their children their own bedroom but they simply can’t afford it”, she says, “why should it be different when the state is paying?”.
In October protestors marched in Cardiff City centre calling for the government to ‘axe’ the bedroom tax
Not all politicians are as supportive of the new measures however. Assembly member Bethan Jenkins calls the legislation, “An evil, vile tax that needs to come to an end.” Jenkins, who represents Plaid Cymru, fears that politicians are not paying enough attention to the affect the Welfare Reform Act is having on tenants. Bethan also echoes Gemma’s claims that the bedroom tax is harming already vulnerable people. “I think the way people are treated is totally insensitive to their own lives and the problems that they’re currently going through”, she says.
Bethan’s claims that the bedroom tax is hitting the vulnerable hardest are disputed by Jennie Willot. The Liberal Democrat MP highlights the lengths her party has gone to to ensure that vulnerable people are properly looked after. “I appreciate that this change will be difficult for lots of people”, she says, “that’s why the Liberal Democrats worked really hard secure an extra £160 million to help support the most vulnerable.”
Bethan Jenkins suggests that this posturing from political parties has led to tenants being overlooked. “We’ve seen politicians bickering over what party’s doing more or not enough to help get rid of the bedroom tax”, she argues. Bethan hopes that these party divides and arguments can be overcome to better serve the tenants suffering under the legislation and see the bedroom tax abolished, “by whatever colour government.” While this political posturing continues, the future for tenants like Natalie and Gemma remains clouded in uncertainty. “I don’t know if I’m going to be housed”, says Gemma, “they’ve said I can’t even claim homelessness so I have no idea what’s going to happen to me and my family.”
The sense of resentment towards the legislation is clear. “I wish they’d squash the stupid thing”, complains Natalie. Her feelings are mirrored by many, with a recent march in Cardiff attracting over 100 protestors calling to ‘axe’ the bedroom tax. Despite this, there are currently no plans to overturn the policy. This news is unlikely to sit well with Gemma, Natalie and the increasing number of tenants forced into arrears by the bedroom tax, who face losing not just their houses, but in many cases their homes.
