The number of households in rent arrears in south Livingston has dropped over the same period for last year despite a surge in the numbers of households now in receipt of Universal Credit.
A report to the Livingston South Local Area Committee detailed the numbers on the new six-into-one benefit had been 89 last year but that figure had now climbed by 251 per cent.
The number of tenancies in arrears in the ward has decreased by 72 since last year.
Small debt cases (£300 or less), account for 56.2 per cent of households. There are 87 serious arrears cases (+£1000 in arrears).
These cases are 17.1 per cent of all households in arrears in this area, containing 64.2 per cent of the debt. The arrears position for Livingston South in the third quarter of this financial year is £296,203. This is a decrease of £54,707 on last year’s position.
The arrears position in West Lothian is currently £3,300,988.
Housing manager, Sandy Ross, said in his report: “The focus on rent arrears activity has continued to be a weekly priority task for the team and will continue to work with all our tenants in offering the support, advice and assistance. Such assistance includes referrals for money and debt advice, benefit health checks, completion of income and expenditure to help set up a sustainable payment plan and where appropriate, assist with applications for Discretionary Housing Payments.
“Officers have also been doing targeted work to encourage tenants to update their universal credit journals as many have not updated their housing costs in April following the rent increase meaning they are losing out on money they are entitled to."
