Rising private sector rents have forced an additional 417,830 working people to seek Government assistance in just three years, according to the National Housing Federation today.
The figure represents an 86% increase since 2009 on working people now reliant on housing benefit to help them pay the rising rents on their home.
Research by the NHF found that despite Government efforts to tackle public debt, it is actually spending more on housing benefit as a result.
The NFH has warned that the unsustainable housing market could see millions more families relying on Government support to pay their rent in the next few years.
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: "Only by addressing the chronic undersupply of new homes can we stem the financial pressure on families and Government.
“We now have millions of families struggling to keep on top of their rents, priced out of the housing market and nearly 10,000 more working families every month are now reliant on housing benefit to help pay their private rent.
He said: “These people are the ‘strivers’ the Government wants to help, yet their future is looking bleak.
“This cannot continue; we need action now to address the causes of rising housing costs, not just the symptoms.”
The National Housing Federation Home Truths report published today found that the future of our housing market is looking even bleaker, with both private rental and house prices forecast to rise sharply from 2015.
Private rents are now increasing at a faster rate than house prices, and the knock-on cost to the taxpayer is rising as a result.
