"BBC A man left unable to work after a life-changing car crash faces a 450 shortfall in his rent every month, despite receiving Local Housing Allowance. The crash 18-years-ago left Steve Michelides with severe spinal injuries, and the scar across his torso is a "daily reminder of the accident". Mr Michelides, a former sales executive, lives alone in a privately rented flat in Thornton Heath, south London, but rising rents mean his benefits fall far short of covering his costs."
"No changes were announced, but a government spokesperson said: "We're tackling the impact of rising rents and the housing shortage with our commitment to build 1.5 million homes including the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation. "We are also investing more than 1bn in homelessness services, launching a cross-government homelessness strategy, and investing a record 39bn in affordable and social housing.""
Steve Michelides was left unable to work after a car crash 18 years ago and lives with severe spinal injuries and a visible scar. He rents a flat in Thornton Heath, south London, and receives Local Housing Allowance that fails to cover his rent, leaving a £450 monthly shortfall. He says he uses 84.5% of his total monthly expenditure when payday arrives and is left with little discretionary income. Local Housing Allowance is capped to cover the cheapest third of properties but has been frozen intermittently and has not kept pace with rising rents. Housing charities and councils warned the freeze risks homelessness. The government pledged to build 1.5 million homes and to invest in homelessness services and affordable and social housing.
Read at www.bbc.com
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