A councillor has described the changes to the welfare system as “appalling”.
The Government’s bedroom tax plans will see 532 residents in Lichfield and Burntwood affected.
A report by Lichfield District Council suggested people should consider “moving to a smaller home” or “taking in a lodger”.
But the suggestion has angered Burntwood Labour councillor Sue Woodward.
“We’ve been looking at these and all the other benefit changes at Lichfield District Coucnil for some time and Labour councillors have been expressing our concern that the burden of the changes will fall on those least able to cope with them.
“The theory is now becoming reality and the changes in Housing Benefit – along with changes to Council Tax Benefit and a whole range of other support measures – is going to hit these households very hard.
“That’s why I felt so upset and angry at reading the report – not at the officers who’ve got to implement the changes of even at the Tory Cabinet Member who is overseeing them, but at a Government that hits vulnerable people at the same time as giving tax cuts to millionaires.
“I was particularly affronted at the reference to taking in lodgers. I can see theoretically that this would provide a roof over the head of a homeless person but can you imagine how it must feel to be told that you have to take in a lodger?
“It may be your family home that holds lots of memories of children who have flown the nest. Now, to be told that you should take a stranger in to meet a shortfall in housing benefit I think is just appalling.”
