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22/10/2014
Social Housing Fraud Continues To Increase
The Department for Social Development (DSD) has been slammed for failing to tackle social housing tenancy fraud.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee highlights an alarming rise in the cost of providing temporary accommodation for homeless families from £5.2million in 2008 to £10.9million in 2013. It is estimated that for every 100 fraudulently occupied houses recovered, £800,000 could be saved by avoiding the additional costs associated with temporary placement of families in private rented temporary accommodation.
Committee Chairperson Michaela Boyle MLA said: "Social housing tenancy fraud is a serious problem that impacts on the most vulnerable in our society.
"Our Report has come to the conclusion that our local social housing providers have been too slow to deal with tenancy fraud and have not been proactive in trying to recover fraudulently occupied properties. We are also unhappy that the Department for Social Development has not yet established the level of tenancy fraud here and we expect them to do this urgently."
(CD/MH)
A report by the Public Accounts Committee highlights an alarming rise in the cost of providing temporary accommodation for homeless families from £5.2million in 2008 to £10.9million in 2013. It is estimated that for every 100 fraudulently occupied houses recovered, £800,000 could be saved by avoiding the additional costs associated with temporary placement of families in private rented temporary accommodation.
Committee Chairperson Michaela Boyle MLA said: "Social housing tenancy fraud is a serious problem that impacts on the most vulnerable in our society.
"Our Report has come to the conclusion that our local social housing providers have been too slow to deal with tenancy fraud and have not been proactive in trying to recover fraudulently occupied properties. We are also unhappy that the Department for Social Development has not yet established the level of tenancy fraud here and we expect them to do this urgently."
(CD/MH)
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