Around 500 people across Lichfield and Burntwood could be hit by the new bedroom tax.

Lichfield District Council’s review of the new welfare reforms has highlighted a number of residents who are likely to be impacted.

The figures show that 532 housing benefit claimants could see a reduction because their properties have unoccupied bedrooms.

The bedroom tax will see those residents who have unoccupied rooms facing a reduction in their Housing Benefit-eligible rent. It has been estimated that those affected will lose between £14 and £16 a week.

Under the new guidelines, children under 16 of the same gender are expected to share, as are brothers and sisters under 10.

The Local Impact of Welfare Reforms report by Lichfield District Council breaks the overall figure down to show:

  • 219 people are in a two-bed property only needing one
  • 200 people are in a three-bed property only needing two
  • 94 people are in a three-bed property only needing one
  • 19 are people living in four and five bedroom homes

Many of these residents face a cut in benefits, with some facing the prospect of not being able to cover their monthly rent.

The report suggests options for those facing cuts, but admitted the solutions may not be simple.

“Tenants affected by these reductions in benefit should consider the option of moving to a smaller home or fund the shortfall in rent themselves by seeking employment, reducing expenditure in other areas or taking in a lodger.

“However, the report In terms of seeking alternative accommodation an analysis of the availability of social rented accommodation reveals that this is not an option that can easily be met in the Lichfield District.”

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