Norwich, Norfolk -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/30/2012 -- The Chartered Institute of Housing has found there will be thousands more claimants than properties that are affordable on benefits alone, meaning a further 800,000 homes will be put out of reach of people on housing benefit because of government welfare cuts – leaving low income families the choice of cutting spending on food to pay the rent or moving out.

This has led to increased fears of the creation of ‘benefit ghettos’, whereby people are forced to move away from areas where there are many jobs to more remote, seaside towns where there are few, according to a recent Guardian article. Many now face the prospect of trying to find shared housing that in many areas just does not exist. Even where such housing exists, for those who are vulnerable – disabled people or those trying to rebuild their lives following homelessness – this type of accommodation is just not appropriate.

All of which leads to an increase in pressure upon charities; many of whom have long been warning the consequences of such actions could be dire. Leslie Morphy, of the charity Crisis said the analysis vindicated warnings that the government's plan will cause homelessness, "The figures make clear that there will just not be enough properties anywhere that are affordable on these reduced benefit levels. With unemployment rising and more people relying on housing benefit, yet soaring demand for properties, the government's plans just don't add up – we urge them to stop and reconsider."

A spokesperson for Morton Solutions, who have just announced that they raised over 23k for the British Red Cross across October-November 2011, similarly questioned the cuts, “It smacks of persecution of the socially disadvantaged; the cuts will see many people forced out of their houses and will create ‘sink’ estates which spiral into problems. With homelessness on the rise for the first time in a number of years, this seems a questionable decision to say the least.”

The Department for Work and Pensions has defended the cuts, saying housing benefit were unfair because some families on benefits had been able to live in homes that most working families not on benefits could not afford, "Early indications are that people are not moving out of cities in their droves to cheaper rural areas. For the vast majority of areas except the most expensive parts of inner and central London, at least 30% of all private rental properties will be affordable. Our measures will place a lid on spiralling rents and local authorities will continue to work with tenants and landlords to negotiate down rents, which will in turn help to keep properties within reach."