The combination of austerity and welfare reform led Hull City Council to rethink its support for its social housing tenants. The end result has been an award winning service. The MJ reports.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, councils faced a rising tide of residents in need of support due to welfare reform.

Hull City Council, winner of The MJ Awards’ Best Social Housing Initiative title, has the fourth most deprived population in the UK, with two-thirds of its 23,500 tenants receiving support to pay the rent.

Welfare reform – including the roll out of Universal Credit – meant the council had to alter its offer to tenants in a bid to prevent homelessness and to maintain a viable housing service, as well as tackling rising levels of debt and associated mental health issues.