There were stark warnings in the Commons that the homeless, elderly, frail and those fleeing domestic violence could be turned out onto the street unless the Government’s thinks again and changes its plans which threaten the future of Sheltered Housing.

Supported housing schemes house some of the most vulnerable people with unique needs in our communities. Consequently the schemes need higher levels of revenue to provide the necessary support.

However Government plans to cap housing benefit would leave many supported housing schemes unviable and according to national experts could mean around 95 per cent of them close.

Speaking in the debate Mr Zeichner said local supported housing providers had warned that this policy would mean they would have no choice but to ask tenants to leave. Cambridge City Council fear that they will be forced to reduce the services they provide while the Cambridge Housing Society say their schemes for vulnerable teenagers, people with learning difficulties, vulnerable women and vulnerable older people would be under immediate threat.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “These are people we should be looking to protect, to shelter, to offer our support. This Tory Government plan is part of a deadly cocktail of housing reforms that will decimate the sector and make our country’s housing problems worse. They say that the country has to live within its means -; I say they are just mean.”