Government urged to think of refuge provision amid welfare changes

Welfare changes could force the closure of 82,000 specialist homes such as women's refuges, specialist dementia accommodation and veterans' services, campaigners have warned.

The stark warning was issued by the National Housing Federation ahead of April's introduction of a cap on housing benefit for tenants in the social sector.

More than 50,000 households could lose an average of £68 per week each, the NHF said - making 41% of specialist housing unviable.

Some 2,400 construction projects have already been scrapped - with another 9,270 at risk, it calculated.

It has joined forces with Age UK, Mencap and Women's Aid to urge an exemption for those who require extra support, with the ensuing higher rents and service charges often covered by housing benefit.

NHF chief executive David Orr said: "We are urgently seeking clarity from Government: will this cap apply to those who are, by definition, the most in need of extra help?

"If this cap applies to specialist housing, tens of thousands of vulnerable people will be unable to afford the cost of their home and care.

"Huge numbers of people will be affected from older people and dementia patients, to disabled people and women fleeing domestic violence - they cannot go without specialist care and support.

"With building on new homes grinding to a halt, pipeline plans scrapped and schemes already preparing to shut up shop, this matter can no longer go unresolved."

Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid said: "Uncertainty about the future of housing benefit payments is already directly impacting on services' plans for the future and a risk to the future of refuge provision is a risk to women and children's lives."

They were joined by former soldier Sean Percival-Scott, who credits a housing association support service with getting him back on track after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), becoming homeless and trying to take his own life.

"They saved me, helped me turn myself around and provided support during the most difficult period of my life.

"These cutbacks will close off the avenues that people who are in the same situation that I was most desperately need. Everybody can fall regardless of upbringing or stature. We shouldn't take away the hand that picks them up."

Shadow housing minister John Healey said: "These figures confirm that George Osborne's cuts to housing benefit could mean tens of thousands of people losing their homes, including elderly people with dementia, veterans and women fleeing domestic violence.

"It shows that Labour was right to warn about the devastating effect that these cuts could have.

"In the Commons this week, Labour is calling on George Osborne to exempt supported housing from these cuts, and consult fully with housing providers to safeguard this essential accommodation."