What significant change occurred in the number of social housing tenants following the 2013 welfare reform act?

The significant change indicated by the welfare reform act of 2013 refers to the increase in the number of social housing tenants. This rise can be attributed to several factors associated with the reforms, including changes in housing benefit eligibility and reductions in support for private renting. As local authorities faced pressures to accommodate those affected by funding cuts and welfare changes, many individuals who were previously able to maintain their private tenancies found themselves relying more on social housing as a means of securing stable housing. This dynamic reflected broader trends in the housing market, where affordability issues pushed more people towards social housing as a necessity rather than a choice. Thus, the increase of 70,000 tenants substantially highlighted the challenges and shifts within the housing landscape post-reform.