Shelter claims high rents trap families in temporary accommodation
1 month ago | 2 comments
Rising rents are contributing to rough sleeping claims government
12:01 AM, 14th September 2026, 3 weeks ago
7
Categories:
A government minister claims rising rents are among the factors contributing to homelessness and rough sleeping.
In a written parliamentary answer, Homelessness Minister Florence Eshalomi said poverty, housing availability and affordability were among the “root causes” of homelessness and rough sleeping.
The news comes as the government unveiled plans to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas.
Struggling to afford private rents
In a written parliamentary question, Independent MP James McMurdock asked: “What assessment has the government made of the potential impact of levels of private rents on rough sleeping?”
Ms Eshalomi said: “Poverty, housing availability and affordability are the root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping. In addition, people who sleep rough are more likely to have complex and overlapping support needs.
“The National Plan to End Homelessness acknowledges that many people on low incomes struggle to afford rising rents in an increasingly insecure private rental market. As well as abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, our Renters’ Rights Act has empowered private rented sector tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases, outlawed rental bidding and ended the practice of landlords demanding large amounts of rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy”.
End rough sleeping
As previously reported by Property118, as part of a £442 million package, the government will provide emergency accommodation to help end the need for rough sleeping, alongside practical support with housing, health and other needs.
However, despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping, figures reveal an increase in the number of people sleeping rough in London.
Figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) reveal 3,959 people were sleeping rough in London in April to June this year.
While this is down by 10% compared to the same quarter of the previous year, it is an increase of 53% compared to five years ago and up 47% over the past decade.
7 comments on this article
Learn from your peers’ experience
A different perspective could help you spot an issue, avoid a mistake or find a better way forward. Read the comments and add your own views if you wish.
Related Articles
Prime Minister Burnham and the Manchester Housing Crisis
2 months ago | 12 comments
Homelessness crisis set to worsen as think tank urges government action
3 months ago | 3 comments
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1664
8:08 AM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Ms Eshalomi should ask what impact unfair taxation and over-regulation has on rents.
The BBC reports that rents rose by less than inflation last year.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 441
11:50 AM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Of course, it wouldn’t be anything to do with the RRA would it!
Member Since June 2015 - Comments: 361
12:05 PM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Frozen LHA is a major part of the problem. Single unemployed people can’t bridge the gap between LHA and reality.
The loss of Section 21 is a huge barrier to taking a risk on a homeless applicant, especially a rough sleeping one.
It’s probably fair to say the government and activists have 100% created the problem with misguided policies which had entirely foreseeable consequences.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2325 - Articles: 2
12:41 PM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 14/09/2026 – 08:08
I was going to comment but you said it all.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 631
12:42 PM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
I am sure a well educated woman like this must know the real reasons for rising homelessness, but refuses to acknowledge it.
How many more non- consequential ministerial posts will be handed out to lap dogs.How about “Minster for silly walks”.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1606 - Articles: 1
1:24 PM, 19th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Not rocket science especially when Local Authorities have been instructed by this government to put asylum seekers at the top of their housing lists.
Many Local Authorities started bulk buying in tents from 2019 – 6 months or so after the Renters Reform Bill rose its head. Interesting timing I would have thought?
Member Since June 2017 - Comments: 128
6:48 PM, 1st October 2026, About 3 days ago
So, we have a government that says rising rents are causing homelessness. The same government is creatively finding new ways to increase costs to, & implementing heavy fines on landlords, who obviously can’t swallow them. So rents need to increase to cover the costs & the fines they’re handing out.
And yet these two issues have no correlation, apparently. Picture a man sat in his office scratching his head in wonderment. That’s me, that is.
Things that make you go “Hmmm”. Yep, there’s that song again.