Shelter: Single parents face eviction threat as housing crisis worsens

Around 74,000 single-parent households and their children could be evicted and made homeless in England this winter, according to a new survey by housing charity Shelter.

The research, funded by the Nationwide Building Society, shows that one in seven lone parents who rent privately are in danger of losing their home.

That’s because they have received or been threatened with an eviction notice, or because they are behind on their rent.

This is much higher than the wider population of private renters in England, where one in 10 are at risk of eviction.

Shelter says that single-parent families are ‘bearing the brunt’ of the housing crisis, as they face blanket bans on children and people on benefits in rented housing.

‘Private renting is broken’

Shelter’s chief executive, Polly Neate, told the Guardian: “Private renting is broken and lone parents are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

“Decades of failure to build genuinely affordable social homes has meant that competition for rentals is fierce and the barriers to finding and keeping hold of a safe home are higher than ever.”

She added: “The only real, lasting solution is to invest in truly affordable social homes with rents tied to local incomes.

“Until the government gets on and commits to that more people will be forced to turn to our services.”

More likely to borrow money to pay their rent

The survey also reveals that single parents are more likely to borrow money to pay their rent, with 41% saying they have done so, compared with 27% of homes without children.

Also, 60% of single parents fear becoming homeless due to rising housing costs, compared with 40% of households without children.

Shelter warns that single parents are especially vulnerable to so-called no-fault evictions, where landlords can end a tenancy without giving a reason.

A government spokesperson said: “The Renters (Reform) Bill which is currently going through Parliament will abolish section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, delivering a fairer, more secure and higher quality private rented sector.

“We have also announced a substantial increase in local housing allowance which will benefit 1.6m low-income households by on average £800 a year from April 2024.”