YORK Housing Association is calling for clarity from the Government over the future of its more than 400 supported homes.

Chief executive Julia Histon highlighted her concerns after showing local MP Rachael Maskell around a home supporting people with physical and learning disabilities in Seventh Avenue, York.

Ms Histon said: “The future for this kind of supported housing scheme is currently very uncertain. “In November, George Osborne announced the decision had been taken to cap housing benefit, which, if applied to vulnerable people in supported housing like the elderly, homeless, disabled, and victims of domestic violence, could have a devastating effect on their housing.

“According to the National Housing Federation, this change would hit vulnerable people by an average of £68 a week, and at least 156,000 homes would be forced to close. “Whilst the Government has agreed to carry out a review into how supported housing is funded, we need clarity as quickly as possible that supported housing will be exempt from the housing benefit cap in the future.”

York Central MP Ms Maskell said: “I valued the meeting with Mencap and York Housing Association at their supported housing project to see first-hand the impact that cuts to housing benefit will have on severely disabled adults.

“I have been opposing the government proposals, which will not only result in projects for disabled people no longer being financially viable, but also homelessness projects and accommodation for the elderly.

“The Government must look again at their plans.”