A homelessness charity’s claims that Exmouth families will be worse off due to government cuts have been challenged by East Devon District Council.

FAMILIES in Exmouth will be an average of �61 a month worse off as a result of government cuts to a housing benefit says a housing charity.

Local housing allowance (LHA) is a way of calculating housing benefit payable to tenants who rent their home from a private landlord and is available to people likely to have problems paying their rent.

The findings come from new, independent research commissioned by the housing charity Shelter which reveals that 134,000 households across England will either be evicted or forced to move when the cuts come in because they will be unable to negotiate cheaper rents from their landlords.

It estimates that nationally as many as 35,000 households will approach their local authority for housing assistance, which could cost government up to �120 million a year.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter says: “Shelter’s research clearly shows that these cuts will mean households in East Devon are going to face a real struggle keeping a roof over their head. Unfortunately, an increase in homelessness is inevitable.

“That’s why East Devon Council needs to start planning now to ensure their homelessness services can cope with the demand they are going to face.

“We urge East Devon Council to set aside resources to ensure the most vulnerable, including children, pensioners and the disabled are protected from these cuts.”