The impact of welfare reform on social housing tenants:findings from two think tanks

The National Communities Resource Centre at Trafford Hall exists to help residents and frontline staff in disadvantaged communities all over the country develop self help skills and community action to tackle harsh social problems. Social landlords want tenants to understand and share experiences to develop practical ideas to support communities. LSE Housing and Communities held two 24-hour Think Tanks with over 110 tenants and support workers from a range of social landlords in November 2013 and March 2014. Initially only one Think Tank had been organised, but because the event was oversubscribed a second Think Tank was held in March 2013 to allow as many people as possible to attend. All tenants at the events were encouraged and directly supported by their landlords to come. Landlords want tenants to understand welfare reform and its implications for themselves and their landlords.