ONE-quarter of housing associations believe welfare reforms that have been branded the "bedroom tax" have impacted on their ability to rehouse homeless people, a new report revealed.
A survey by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) found two out of three associations had seen an increase in the number of tenants looking for a transfer to another property after housing benefit changes meant those deemed to have extra rooms had their benefit payments reduced.
A quarter (26 per cent) of associations surveyed said they "believe the increased number of downsizing requests have impacted upon their ability to rehouse homeless households".
The SFHA questioned 42 housing associations about whether there was a link between welfare reform and homelessness in Scotland in October 2013.
Its report stated: "After implementation of the 'bedroom tax', two in three housing associations have experienced an increase in the number of requests for transfers.
"However, 26 per cent of respondents believe the increased number of downsizing requests have impacted upon their ability to re-house homeless households."
The SFHA added that "around a fifth of housing associations reported having had homeless households refuse an offer of housing due to the 'bedroom tax"'.
The survey also found 72 per cent of associations had had to help homeless people try to obtain "essential items, such as carpets, a cooker or a bed". SFHA's David Ogilvie said: "We are seriously concerned."
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