Young people, housing benefit and the risk society

P.A. Kemp, J. Rugg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper draws on debates about the risk society to examine the impact of the "single room rent", a restriction in the housing benefit scheme that applies to single people under 25 living in privately rented housing. Drawing on qualitative interviews in six localities in England, the paper examines young people's ability to gain access to and afford privately rented accommodation while receiving housing benefit. It argues that the single room rent restriction has not only cut their housing benefit entitlement but also created more uncertainty for young people. Consequently, it has enhanced rather than ameliorated the risks faced by young people on low incomes in the private rental housing market.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)688-700
Number of pages12
JournalSocial Policy and Administration
Volume35
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2001

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