‘Homeless worry’ for parents who rent

ONE in five parents living in private rented accommodation fear their family will become homeless as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, a charity has warned.

Some 458,000 adults in privately rented homes worry they may not be able to pay their rent and be forced out onto the streets, according to Shelter.

This compares to just nine per cent of those living in secure social homes. A YouGov poll commissioned by the charity found that 20 per cent had taken on debts such as overdrafts and payday loans to cover their rent since the lockdown began in March.

And 15 per cent have cut down on food shopping to keep a roof over their heads, while two per cent have resorted to using food banks to keep themselves fed. Among those turning to food banks during the crisis is Deborah, 54, who lives with her daughter in Southport, Merseyside.

Deborah works as a cleaning manager but has been furloughed during lockdown and now faces eviction from her rented home.

She said: “You’re always one step away from eviction.

“When I’ve finished paying my rent and my bills, it’s over £1,000, and I’m left with £150 a month for food. I’m just working to pay the bills, that’s it.

“I worry about becoming homeless 24/7, day in, day out.”

Shelter is calling on the Government to “step in and show it cares about these families by building social homes”.

Chief executive Polly Neate said help was need now, adding: “Parents need a way out of living hand to mouth.”