Industry News


Thousands of renters face eviction as living costs soar, adding to a predicted growth in homelessness


G


rowing numbers of tenants are facing eviction in the coming months as private and social landlords are returning to the


courts, amid a cost of living crisis in England. At the end of 2021, some 14,123 landlords


in England started court proceedings to evict tenants from their properties between October and December, up by 43 per cent on the previous quarter. Private landlords are now starting as many court


proceedings to evict tenants as they did before the pandemic. A total of 9,410 claims were made to court against private tenants in the final quarter of 2021, compared to 9,676 in the same period in 2019. 4,807 claims were made by social landlords – compared with 15,369 in the final quarter of 2019. Te evictions are putting extra pressure on


rehousing services at councils across the country and the number of people homeless in England is predicted to jump by a third by 2024 as councils warn of a “tidal wave” of need caused by benefits freezes, soaring food and energy bills. More than 66,000 more people will be homeless


by 2024, with the bulk of the increase being among people forced to “sofa surf ”, according to annual forecasts by the housing charity Crisis and Heriot-Watt University. Tere will be 8,000 more people rough sleeping and 9,000 people forced into unsuitable temporary accommodation. Te chief executive of Crisis, Matt Downie,


described the findings as “a huge cause for concern”,


as a survey of 155 English councils also found that nine out of 10 town halls expect to see an increase in evictions from private rented homes over the next year. Eight out of 10 fear increases in homeless children. Te eviction ban helped keep many renters


safe in their homes during the pandemic. Now this protection has gone, evictions are picking up and renters are struggling even more. With its emergency helpline already under pressure, Shelter is warning that there will be a further wave of evictions to come as the living cost crisis bites.


INCREASING TOLL OF HOMELESSNESS Extensive polling carried out for Shelter found 275,000 private renting households had received an eviction notice in the previous month or were behind on their rent. Tis is equivalent to one in 17 private renting households being in real danger of losing their home this winter. Te living cost crisis is taking an increasing toll


on households. 45 per cent of private renters are more worried about becoming homeless because of the current economic situation and living costs. Many renters are being forced to choose between


putting food on the table, heating their homes or paying their rent. Te charity’s poll of private renters found that:


• Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) were behind on their rent or constantly struggling to pay it;


• Nearly a third (32 per cent) had to cut back on food for them or their partner in the previous month; and


• One in six (17 per cent) had fallen behind on paying their energy bills in the previous month.


Osama Bhutta, Director of Campaigns at


Shelter, said: “Huge numbers of eviction notices are dropping on doormats across the country, and our services are working round the clock to help as many people as possible keep the bailiffs at bay. “Te reality is though that thousands more


people are at risk of eviction. Soaring inflation and rocketing energy bills may be the final straw for many renters struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Many have no savings at all, and increasingly some are being forced to choose between feeding their families, heating their homes, or paying their rent. “While Government measures, like the


£65 million rent arrears fund, will help some, it won’t be enough to protect every family who is barely hanging onto their home. It’s time the Government gave renters the financial lifeline they need by boosting support and reversing the damaging welfare cuts that have leſt people on the brink of destitution. In the meantime, we’ll continue to do everything we can at Shelter to support as many people as possible during these tough times.”


Private landlords offered incentives to house vulnerable tenants


Te National Residential Landlords Association is backing a new local authority scheme to help house vulnerable people or those with additional needs within the private rented sector. Te project will help young people, young


parents, the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, as well as vulnerable adults and those with mental health problems move from Supported Accommodation into a rented home of their own. Local authorities in East Sussex are


working with Supported Accommodation providers to offer Tenancy Sustainment courses to help these tenants learn the skills needed to live an independent life. Moving forward they will be offering landlords incentives to get on board.


Te scheme is already supporting 236 individuals


by providing comprehensive tenancy skills training, as approved by the NRLA support package. Tis training ensures all residents fully


understand tenants’ responsibilities, money management, different types of tenancies, managing a tenancy and budgeting for a planned move. During this time they are also helped to access training, education and employment opportunities. Once they have completed their training they can


access homes in both the social and private rented sector and will be given six months of resettlement support by their existing keyworker. Cid Singh, move-on coordinator from the


Supported Accommodation & Refuges Virtual Team at Hastings Borough Councils said: “Within


East Sussex, 65 per cent of the rental market, is supplied by private landlords and therefore it is essential for pathways from statutory provision, into PRS are initiated and working partnerships formed. “Tis will enable those that are in need support


accommodation being able to access it quicker and receive the wrap around support they need. We are looking to initiate, establish and maintain good working partnerships with landlords across the region to create a pathway for residents from supported accommodation directly into tenancies in the private rented sector.” Te council is finalising the details of the


financial incentives it will be offering and is working with stakeholders from the DWP, council tax office and other support agencies to help ensure tenants are given the ongoing support they need. East Sussex County Council has also


produced a Tenancy Sustainment Guide for tenants, evidencing best practice from all the scheme providers, approved by the NRLA.


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMApril/May 2022 | 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44