The Reform of Housing Benefit

The housing benefit scheme has been the subject of considerable change and reform. This article looks at the system of income-related assistance with housing costs that existed prior to the introduction of housing benefit, and examines the reasons for the introduction of the scheme in 1982/83. It then goes on to examine why the Housing Benefit Review was set up less than one year after the “full start” to the scheme. Finally, the new housing benefit scheme provided by the Social Security Act 1986 is assessed.