It's not a dream. This thing is really happening:
Councils in London are arranging to move local housing allowance claimants into accommodation as far away as Hastings, following cuts to housing benefit confirmed in the comprehensive spending review.
London Councils revealed this week at a meeting of the work and pensions select committee that local authorities in central London have been block-booking private rented accommodation and bed and breakfast rooms in towns across the south of England...
Mr Minto said the boroughs were booking rooms in towns such as Hastings, Watford, Slough, Reading and Luton because the rents in those areas are much lower than the average rates charged by central London landlords.
Inside Housing has the story. Chilling.
Update, Saturday 23 October: London Council tells me it has asked Inside Housing to make a small adjustment to its story. I quote:
Boroughs aren't booking rooms [but] talking to private landlords outside of London to procure private rented accommodation so that they can place people in temporary accommodation if they need to.
In other words, the Councils concerned are anticipating having to find temporary homes for an increased numbers of households declaring themselves homeless as a result of the LHA changes. I'm no less chilled.
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