A ‘catastrophic’ spike in Angus youth homelessness could follow changes to UK benefits system, it has been claimed.
Scottish Government figures show that the number of people assessed as being homeless in Angus fell by 16% between April and September from 2015 to 2016.
But Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Evans fears that vulnerable young people in Angus and Aberdeenshire could be made homeless as Housing Benefit has been scrapped for 18 to 21 year olds.
Ms Evans fears those numbers could rise again when the full impact of the benefit cuts kicks in.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the cuts will guard against young people slipping “straight into a life on benefits”.
The Scottish Government has offered emergency funding from the Scottish Welfare Fund to those who are affected but many could yet fall outwith the scope of support.
Ms Evans said: “I’m pleased to see there has been a fall in homeless figures amongst all age groups in Angus but these figures are prior to the catastrophic changes to Housing Benefit that have just been implemented by the Conservatives.
“There is a real fear – not just from me – that some of our young people are going to be placed in real danger of becoming homeless due to these changes.
“No matter which way we look at the policy, it is poorly thought out, does not make sense and — as we have heard — has the potential to cost more money than it saves.
“The policy will also cost more than it saves if it results in an increase in homelessness.”
Recent research by Heriot-Watt University found that once exemptions were included the policy would save just £3.3 million pounds.
Researchers calculated that just 140 young people would have to be made homeless by the change for knock-on costs to mean the policy actually cost taxpayers more money overall.
“In Angus it is estimated 23 people will be affected and 20 in Aberdeenshire,” Ms Evans added.
“That is 43 people too many and 43 people whom we cannot let fall through the net.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “This government is delivering on its commitment to ensure young people in the benefit system face the same choices as young people who work but may not be able to afford to leave home.
“We know that personal circumstances will differ so we have worked closely with charities and the housing sector to develop a fair and robust set of exemptions to protect the most vulnerable young people.”
