Homelessness statistics foreshadow troubling rise in evictions

22 Apr 2021 03:34 PM

Blog posted by: Rob Cartridge, Thursday, 22 April 2021.

On 22 April, the Government released its homelessness and temporary accommodation data for October to December 2020, which reveals a significant level of evictions despite Government measures to protect private renters during Covid-19 that should have put a pause on this practice.

Key statistics include:

Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, comments:

“It is shocking that large numbers of people continued to be threatened with homelessness due to private landlords ending a tenancy, despite measures put in place to protect renters during the pandemic. This should act as a warning that we can expect a further spike in people threatened with or becoming homeless when restrictions on bailiff enforced evictions end on 31 May – just as Everyone In is expected to end  in June. Once again, these figures shine a light on an issue that urgently needs addressing.

“The high number of people living in temporary accommodation is, ironically, both positive and gives cause for concern. While it reflects the commendable efforts of Everyone In to protect people sleeping rough during the pandemic, with the potential threat of a third wave later this year, it also highlights the acute need for suitable, sustainable accommodation solutions and a support offer for people with no recourse to public funds. The Next Steps Accommodation Programme has gone some way to addressing the former, moving people in to longer term housing and away from homelessness, but demand still far outstrips supply.

“The longer-term strategic element continues to be missing from the homelessness response. The Government must prioritise sustainable funding for services and a focus on prevention that addresses the systemic causes of homelessness – including the welfare system and lack of truly affordable housing – if we are to end homelessness for good.”