Shelter call on public support for its frontline services rather than actually house anyone
From new government figures Shelter claim Section 21 evictions have risen by 76% to 5,940 households in a year following the end of the eviction ban in May 2021.
To be classified as ‘threatened with homelessness’ by their council, a household must be at risk of losing their home in the next eight weeks. This also means the council have a legal duty to help the household to either stay in their current home or to find somewhere new to live.
Shelter is urging the government to bring forward its long-promised Renters’ Reform Bill which will ban no-fault evictions, and to unfreeze housing benefit to help struggling renters this winter to access safe accommodation.
Amazingly Shelter is also calling on the public to support its frontline services rather than actually spend the money housing anyone.
The government’s homelessness data also revealed:
A quarter of households (25%) were found to be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of the loss of a private tenancy (17,530 households). This has increased by 61% in the last year.
Many private renting households are struggling with affordability issues. The number of private renting households in rent arrears who have become homeless or threatened with homelessness (2,920 households) is up 38% in the last year.
69,180 households in England became homeless or were at imminent risk of becoming homeless between April and June 2022 – this has increased by 2% in the last year. This is slightly down compared to the previous three months, however, the number of households experiencing homelessness remains worryingly high.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “This winter is going to be brutal as the cost of living crisis goes from bad to worse, and the threat of rising rents and evictions loom large.
“Not a day goes by without our emergency helpline taking yet more calls from families who are being turfed out of their homes because of no-fault evictions. Many of these families won’t be able to find another rental– and instead may spend a bleak winter trapped in emergency accommodation with nowhere to cook or eat a meal, let alone put up a Christmas tree.
“The government promised to ban no fault evictions, it must get on with the job and make the Renters’ Reform Bill law. And to protect people from the threat of homelessness this winter,it must unfreeze housing benefit so families can pay their rent. In the meantime, Shelter’s frontline advisers will do all they can to help as many people find or keep hold of a safe home.”
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
50,000 landlords have left the PRS since 2019
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 402
11:47 AM, 25th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Dear Shelter
I have used the no fault process dozens of times. It was always due to rent arrears or anti social behaviour.
Every time the tenant got a clean slate to start again.
Every landlord I know follows similar policies
I planned never to evict without reason
The rental reform bill will mean I cannot take tenants with poor credit history
Such well intentioned reforms will hurt tenants
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3249 - Articles: 81
2:59 PM, 25th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Not surprised evictions are rising. And the more they shout for them to stop, the more Landlords will sell.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 185
10:41 PM, 25th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Would the rise in the number of evictions not have been due to the backlog created by the ban during lockdown and then the number would drop back down once the delayed ones had worked their way through the system?
Member Since August 2018 - Comments: 158
11:20 AM, 26th November 2022, About 3 years ago
And Shelter has £14m in the bank……
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 1056
12:22 PM, 26th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Three good comments making valid points. However I would suggest, to coin a phrase, “they ain’t seen nothing yet” as when the date of the Renters’ Reform Bill is announced there is likely to be a surge in S.21s issued, together with even more landlords leaving the sector. Defaulting tenants evicted via Section 8 will then find themselves classed as intentionally homeless so ineligible for council help and if they receive a CCJ the few remaining private landlords won’t look at them either.
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 1
1:15 AM, 27th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Are you suggesting Shelter should act as a landlord? I’m confused
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 402
3:04 PM, 27th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jon Wilson at 27/11/2022 – 01:15The Methodist Acton Group tried that round my way. Leasing properties from landlords and renting them out. They went Bankrupt.
I think what he is saying is Shelter and their successful political campaiging will make it worse for tenants not better
Member Since August 2018 - Comments: 158
4:01 PM, 27th November 2022, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jon Wilson at 27/11/2022 – 01:15
I’m making the point that Shelter has £14m in the bank and yet has never housed a single homeless person. It’s very good at gathering funds but it could use that money to do literally what it says on the tin – and Shelter some people.