Rising rents are contributing to rough sleeping claims government

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.