More than 440 children homeless in 12 months
RISING numbers of homelessness in Charnwood - including hundreds of children - have been labelled as shocking by a leading borough councillor.
At Charnwood Borough Council’s recent Scrutiny Commission meeting, the council presented its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Reduction Strategy 2019-2022. This is a legal requirement since 2002.
The Commission’s chair, Coun Mary Draycott, also shadow spokesperson for housing and benefits, said the report set out a very serious situation in Loughborough and Charnwood with the number of people being homeless increasing by 43 per cent in the 12-month period between March 2018-2019.
As a result the use of bed and breakfast has increased to accommodate people and families, with costs rising from £24,000 in 2015/16 to £212,000 in 2018/19.
Various reasons were given for being homeless including domestic violence, eviction, anti-social behaviour, relationship breakdowns, mortgage repossessions, private rented assured tenancies.
Coun Draycott said it was confirmed at the meeting that between 2018 and 2019, a total of 447 children were homeless across Loughborough and Charnwood.
She said she “was very shocked by so many people being in such a position but also the fact numbers were still increasing, I feel particularly for the children”.
Coun Draycott said: “Bed and breakfast is far from ideal for children, uprooting them from relatives, friends, their school, living in cramped possibly shared conditions.
“It really is an indictment of the Conservative austerity cuts to homeless charities, local councils and closure of hostels plus the draconian welfare reforms including Universal Credit.”
Coun Paul Mercer, the borough lead member for housing, said: “The council has seen an increase in homelessness applications since the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018. The change in legislation means that more people are eligible for support than before, therefore numbers were always expected to increase.
“The increase in applications from people with more complex needs and lifestyles has put more pressure on our resources. The Housing Options team at Charnwood are doing a fantastic job.
“We are working closely with other organisations such as The Bridge and Falcon Support Services to help people.
“I would encourage people to read the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Reduction Strategy 20192022.
“It contains a lot of information about the challenges we face and the successes we have in helping to prevent homelessness in Charnwood. That good work will continue.”