October 2023: NFA Consultation
The NFA has submitted evidence to the Work & Pensions Select Committee call for evidence on vulnerabilities in the benefit system
Universal Credit & welfare policy
September 2023: MP Briefing
The NFA and ARCH have provided a briefing for MPs on the findings from our research into the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on households living in the local authority sector.
On the Edge: cost of living findings from the council housing sector, MP Briefing Read More »
September 2023: NFA correspondence
The NFA and ARCH have written to the Rt. Hon. Mel Stride, MP, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions to share the findings from our report, On the Edge: cost-of-living findings from the council housing sector.
August 2023: NFA/ARCH Publication
Council landlords report rising arrears and increasing pressure on their homelessness and housing advice services as tenants struggle to cope with the cost of living. This joint survey from the NFA and ARCH – the body that represents councils with housing stock – is based on a substantial sample of data from around 300,000 council homes, about 30% of the sector.
On the edge: cost-of-living findings from the council housing sector Read More »
July 2022: NFA correspondence
Letter to Therese Coffey, Secretary of State, highlighting the impact of the Annual Rent Change process for landlords and calling for DWP to improve it for next year.
August 2022: NFA correspondence
The NFA, along with 69 other organisations, has written to the Conservative Party leadership candidates, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, to get assurance that they will provide sufficient support to households affected by the cost of living crisis. The letter was published in the Observer on the 14 August 2022.
February 2022: NFA correspondence
Letter and response to the Minister for Welfare Delivery on the 2021 NFA/ARCH Universal Credit survey findings
Correspondence with David Rutley, MP, Minister for Welfare Delivery Read More »
March 2021: NFA/ ARCH UC Annual Survey
This annual NFA/ ARCH survey of the impact of welfare reform on council-owned social housing examines how tenants and landlords have fared through the pandemic. Findings include increased foodbank use, demand for hardship grants and discretionary housing payments. However, government help and local authority/ALMO support services have so far prevented a significant rise in arrears compared with 2020.
March 2020: NFA/ARCH UC Annual Survey
Published in March 2020, this survey captures data on Universal Credit rollout up to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows rising arrears among households on UC. However, the numbers of all households in arrears and the amount they owe is unchanged from the previous year.
March 2019: NFA/ARCH UC Annual survey
This survey shows that households on Universal Credit were substantially more likely to have rent arrears and owe more than households still receiving the former Housing Benefit. While NFA members offered help for tenants moving to UC, NFA members who responded to the survey suggest that removing the five-week wait for benefit, including the housing element of UC, would remove many rollout difficulties.
Patching the safety net: NFA/ARCH UC Annual Survey Read More »