Two true stories. One short message.
One.
A young single mum living with her 2 children in a housing association property has lost £30 pw from housing benefit. She must find work if she is to manage her weekly rent payments. She is keen to do so but is likely to struggle. She must factor in the cost of childcare including for her 16-month-old. If she falls behind with rent the family could be evicted.
Two.
A young mum and her partner have children aged 2 and 6. The partner is on JSA and being helped into work by a mental health support group. Rent for their 2-bedroom flat is in the cheapest non-social range in the area. They receive maximum housing allowance. They are to lose £46 pw from housing benefit. Until work can be found they live in fear of rent arrears and eviction.
One.
Benefit capping just-managing households where social housing is unavailable and private rents are close to London levels creates deeply insecure families.