Coventry Residents Face £1,000 Bill Rise in Social Housing

Many Coventry residents are quite upset. Their social housing flats have service charges increased, totaling about £1,000. They also need to sign a new agreement, and people think these changes are awful. Some worry taxpayers will pay the increase through benefits.

Citizen, the housing provider, defends the price hike, saying it covers service costs. They insist the new agreement is valid. Nauls Mill House tenants face a big increase, equaling about £22 each week, starting in April.

Around 50 residents are protesting these changes. They live in the Radford apartment block, which holds about 130 apartments total. Citizen believes housing benefits will cover the costs for some, but it is unclear how many will get help.

A local councillor, Jackie Gardiner, is helping residents. She thinks this increase is outrageous and strongly dislikes the new agreement. Madeleine Nelson works for Citizen and says the fees match service costs. Citizen wants to charge fairly, saying some people paid less before. Support exists for residents needing financial help.