Homeless Link
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Extend the evictions ban further to prevent a rise in homelessness this winter
The evictions ban that was put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended to 20 September 2020, however lifting the ban will still put many tenants that have rent arrears as a result of a loss of income at risk of homelessness.
Whilst landlords will have to issue three months’ notice of their intention to seek possession and so evict tenants, this will not prevent homelessness, nor will it clear arrears that may be the reason that landlords seek possession.
The impact of the evictions ban may not be immediately visible, however by Christmas, many renters will find their eviction notice period has ended and find themselves facing homelessness in the middle of winter. In the event of another spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, this will be disastrous and will undo all that has been achieved through the Everyone In programme this summer.
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, comments: “We know that one of the main causes of homelessness is an end to a shorthold tenancy. Lifting the ban on evictions will only delay the inevitable, resulting in more people living on the streets at a time when government has worked with the homelessness sector bring people in during the pandemic.
“We need to see solutions, rather than action that bolsters the problems. Extending the evictions ban to the end of the year, providing grants to tenants to cover the cost of their housing, and funding holistic support for individuals, are all things that government can do to prevent an increase in homelessness this winter and keep everyone in for good.”
Original article link: https://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/news/2020/aug/21/extend-evictions-ban-further-to-prevent-rise-in-homelessness-this-winter
