More news & blogs

July 28, 2021 · Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Private Rented Sector project | Rose Bernstein

You bear the situation no matter where it is or what you have to do. I am trapped here.

For many people, reliance on minimal benefits or very low wages makes it impossible to save up a deposit, and even for those who manage to save, few landlords accept tenants on benefits. In other words, you are trapped where you are - no matter the state of the property.

September 28, 2020 · Benefit Cap | Blog | Covid-19 | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Private Rented Sector project | Rose Bernstein

The Eviction Ban has Ended, Leaving Renters Without a Safety Net

Last Monday the ‘eviction ban’ was lifted, meaning courts began hearing possession cases, bailiff’s evictions begin; and tenants are again at risk of losing their homes. Introduced instead is a six month notice period for evictions (except for those with substantial rent arrears) and some requirements that landlords provide courts with information about the impact of the pandemic on the tenant. The longer notice period buys renters some time, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

May 1, 2020 · Benefit Cap | Blog | Campaigning | Covid-19 | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Private Rented Sector project | Rose Bernstein

When Isolating at Home is as Bad for Your Health as Going Out

Self-isolation for a period of time – and we don’t know how long – is necessary to get Covid-19 under control. For many of us, it’s also boring, uncomfortable, and a reminder of all the reasons we love (and are irritated by!) our families.  But for some of the people Z2K works with, living on Social Security benefits and renting from private landlords, self-isolation means something different.

March 20, 2020 · Campaigning | Covid-19 | Disability Rights | ESA & PIP | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Latest News | Private Rented Sector project | Right to Reside | Universal Credit

Z2K Covid-19 – Emergency Social Security & Housing Actions

The arrival of Coronavirus in the UK has become an unprecedented crisis. Huge numbers of people are expected to become ill, and many more unable to work as they self-isolate to protect themselves and others.

February 10, 2020 · Benefit Cap | Blog | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Private Rented Sector project | Rose Bernstein | Universal Credit

The grim reality of homelessness, sofa-surfing and the sharp end of renting in London

At Z2K we’ve begun a new project looking to amplify the voices of some of our clients. Rose and John co-write this piece detailing John's experiences of homelessness, sofa-surfing, and sharp end of renting in London.

January 10, 2020 · Benefit Cap | Blog | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Natasha Cross | Private Rented Sector project | Universal Credit

£20 a week to live on: what happens when the double whammy of Universal Credit and the Benefit Cap hits

For some people, the double whammy of moving to Universal Credit and being hit by the Benefit Cap, leaves them destitute and poverty stricken. Alex* is a prime example of this as he was left with just £20 per week to live on.

October 31, 2019 · Bailiff reform | Benefit Cap | Blog | Campaigning | Council Tax Support | Disability Rights | ESA & PIP | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Private Rented Sector project | Raji Hunjan | Universal Credit

This General Election must be about more than just Brexit. For Z2K, it is the fight against poverty and urging all political leaders to listen to the voices of those who have been most let down by a failing Social Security system

May 28, 2019 · Blog | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Marc Francis | Private Rented Sector project

It should not be so hard for young people to live safely in privately rented accommodation

Why we welcome the Young Women’s Trust’s call for the removal of the Shared Rate of Accommodation for 25-34 year olds.

April 8, 2019 · Benefit Cap | Blog | Disability Rights | Ella Abraham | ESA & PIP | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Marc Francis | Work & Pensions Select Committee

The Benefit Cap: after a damning indictment of one of the Government’s flagship welfare reform policies, the question now is what happens next?

Marc Francis reflects on the Work and Pensions Select Committee's recent report on the Benefit Cap and writes about next steps.

March 12, 2019 · Benefit Cap | Disability Rights | ESA & PIP | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Latest News | Marc Francis | Raji Hunjan | Work & Pensions Select Committee

Press Release: Time to Scrap the Cap

Anti-poverty charity, Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K), today welcomed the Work & Pensions Select Committee’s damning criticism of the Government’s Benefit Cap on Social Security.

March 7, 2019 · Bailiff reform | Blog | Council Tax Support | Emma Lough | ESA & PIP | Housing & homelessness | Housing Benefit | Latest News | Universal Credit

My 8 Year Journey with Z2K: From volunteer, to staff member to deputy chair of the board

For International Women's Day, Emma Lough writes about her 8 year journey with us from a volunteer, to staff member to deputy chair of the board.

October 31, 2018 · Benefit Cap | Housing Benefit | Latest News | Marc Francis | Work & Pensions Select Committee

Z2K gives evidence to Work & Pensions Select Committee Benefit Cap Inquiry

In October, Z2K’s Policy & Campaigns Director gave evidence to the Work & Pensions Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the impact of the Government’s Benefit Cap. Watch here see why we think the cap should be scrapped and hope the committee will at least recommend that all disabled people, lone parents with young children and homeless households should be exempted from it.