Government needs to take a hard look at their failing decisions
YOU are not alone. The Christmas season is upon us and it should be a time to enjoy with friends and loved ones and the festivities the season has to offer.
However, a main concern for many is worrying about how to afford simple necessities in life such as feeding ourselves or our families, keeping homes warm and paying rent or a mortgage.
It’s a fact, we are seeing alarming numbers of homelessness applications and this problem is not unique to Cheltenham. The impacts of the cost-of-living crisis due to the government’s failing economy – decisions that have not proved fruitful such as the disastrous mini budget last year, the ever-noticeable impacts of Brexit and a not-sohopeful Autumn Statement.
Result – higher interest rates and inflation, hitting hardest those most vulnerable in our society.
Nationally there has been a 50% increase in no-fault evictions from privately rented homes, as landlords sell up or increase rents to cover mortgages due to growing financial pressures. And the rise in temporary accommodation applications for homeless households is at a 25-year high.
Yes, Local Housing Allowance increased in the Autumn Statement however it has still not kept pace with rising rents locally, meaning lowincome households are increasingly priced out of the market.
There are wide-ranging reasons for households becoming homeless and none of these reasons are ‘lifestyle choices,’ to quote our previous Home Secretary Suella Braverman. This is why it’s so important we continue to help fund and develop close relations with our experienced local support organisations including CCP, P3, YMCA Cheltenham, Citizens Advice Bureau and Open Door, who also play critical roles supporting residents in Cheltenham.
Cheltenham’s 20% increase in homelessness applications and the 30% increase in placements into emergency accommodation, is just not right. The government needs to take a hard look at their failing decisions to provide the support the country is crying out for.
If you know someone who is worried about losing their home, visit the council’s website cheltenham.gov.uk/ info/32/housing_options_and_advice or signpost them to one of the support organisations mentioned above.