Meg Hillier MP condemns ‘onslaught’ against housing benefit renters after Digs protest

Protest: Meg Hillier with Digs outside the Town Hall Photograph: Digs

Meg Hillier MP has slammed the “onslaught” on renters who rely on housing benefit by private landlords, following a demonstration by campaigners.

The MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch said government benefit caps and private landlords refusing to rent homes to people on housing benefit are making it “almost impossible” for low-income people to rent private homes.

On Saturday she joined the campaign group Digs protesting outside Hackney Town Hall calling for  an end to their “discriminatory” practices.

Speaking to the Citizen, Ms Hillier said: “More people rent privately in Hackney than own their own homes.

Protest: Meg Hillier MP outside the Town Hall with Digs Photograph: Digs

“Private tenants who rely on housing benefit to make up the rent are facing an onslaught: Government caps on housing benefit mean it is almost impossible for someone on a moderate income to rent privately, right to rent means additional identity checks are on the way and letting agents often refuse to accept tenants who may rely on housing benefit.

“The private rented sector is insecure and out of reach.”

 She added: “Digs provides a vital platform for the stories of private tenants including those who cannot even get across the threshold of some letting agents. They highlight a problem in Hackney today but one that will be increasingly an issue around the country.”

In a recent survey Digs contacted 50 local letting agencies, finding just one property available to those who claim housing benefit.

Now read: Digs campaign slams ‘discrimination’ against renters on housing benefit