Propertymark is urging the government to make access to housing a central part of its welfare reforms. 

A statement from the trade body says that without suitable affordable housing options, it will be much harder to address other barriers to work, such as improving physical and mental health or engagement with education and training. 

Proposals in the government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper will overhaul the existing welfare system and introduce new initiatives, including unemployment insurance, to create sustainable health and disability benefits and employment support.

The statement says: “We have long encouraged ministers to approach landlords and their agents as vital housing providers who are an integral part of the housing ecosystem. 

“A growing number of older, vulnerable, and disabled people live in the PRS, where letting agents are well placed to provide support.

“By working with property professionals, providing training, and opening doors for agents to interact with benefit claims and work coaching, the UK Government could encourage partnerships to better support the needs of individuals.”

Ministers propose increasing the eligibility threshold, which would lead to some claimants losing their Personal Independence Payments. 

Propertymark says: “We strongly recommend that those in this category receive a phased reduction or a lead time long enough to allow them to adjust. The continued cost of living crisis and high energy costs mean that sudden loss of income for people already in a vulnerable group could push them into crisis. It is also important support is provided for claimants to understand if they are eligible for any other help if PIP is reduced or lost.”

And on the replacement of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance, a time-limited insurance benefit is designed by government to provide stronger income protection during periods of unemployment whilst people actively seek work.

The trade body comments: “Propertymark is cautiously positive about this proposal but has asked the UK government for more detail about how it would be structured and implemented. 

“We would like to see support in place for housing costs for as long as claimants need it and urge policymakers to allow payments directly to both private and social landlords.”