The High Court dismissal (30 July) of a legal challenge to the ‘bedroom tax’ will increase the risk of homelessness for disabled families and those with vulnerable children, Shelter is warning. Lawyers acting on behalf of 10 claimants brought the case against the Department for Work and Pensions, supported by evidence from Shelter. The claimants argued that the bedroom tax unfairly discriminates against disabled people by failing to recognise their needs, and that it violates the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.  The High Court ruled today that the reduction of their housing benefit is legal, on the basis that the Government has made an extra pot of money available to local councils to help those affected by the penalties. However, the claimants, along with Shelter, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Birmingham City Council, argued that this money (known as Discretionary Housing Payments, or DHP) is not enough to meet the need.