- Figures suggest there are 17,872 cases affected by the under-occupancy criteria in the East Midlands in council owned stock (over half from the major urban areas): 14,599 with one spare bedroom and 3,273 with two or more spare rooms. Further detail in Figure 10.3.
- At present there is little evidence to suggest that people are moving as a result of under-occupancy.
- Council figures from across the East Midlands (Figures 10.4 & 10.5) suggest a rise in the level of rent arrears during 2013. However this data is incomplete and there no evidence of a direct link with under-occupancy.
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- Some councils have reported a sharp increase in applications for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) since April 2013 (see below).
- Some councils have considered re-classifying smaller bedrooms as other accommodation to reduce the impact on tenants.
- There is increased pressure on a limited amount of smaller sized social housing stock.
- There will be an increased need for councils to address the under-supply of affordable housing.
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