Tenants facing rise of up to £10 a week
SOCIAL housing tenants in Stockport are facing a hike of up to £10 per week in combined rent and service charges.
Councillors voted through the increase at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, January 30, moving the plan forward to a final vote at the next full council meeting on February 22.
According to a council report, more than 10,000 properties could see a combined weekly increase of between £5 and £10 in 2024/25.
Around 8,000 of these homes are receiving housing benefit or Universal Credit.
Councillor Colin MacAlister, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and housing, said: “I’m acutely aware of the impact on our tenants in the current financial crisis and we aim to find a balance in these proposals.
“Whilst 70 per cent of tenants are in receipt of housing benefit or Universal Credit, some charges are not HB [housing benefit] eligible.
“Plus, there are many households that do not receive help with their rent.
“In recognition of these cost of living challenges, I’ve ensured that on top of the help and support provided by the council and Stockport Homes, the hardship fund established this financial year specifically for our tenants will continue into next year.”
The proposed lift is part of the council’s plan to manage its Housing Revenue Account budget for 2024/25, and balance the “significant inflationary cost increases” impacting its services.
A consultation about the increase received different feedback from tenants, including 165 comments agreeing with the plan, and 250 sharing concerns about it.
Data shared in a report at the cabinet meeting showed that out of a sample of 108 housing providers across different Greater Manchester boroughs, Stockport had the 5th lowest social rent level in 2022/23.
Stockport Homes, the company which manages the council’s housing stock, is owned by the local authority but operates independently on day-to-day matters.