Homeless charity's virus safety net fears

Lifting the suspension on evictions without protecting renters will "unleash a wave of homelessness" that will overwhelm local authorities, a charity has warned.

Shelter said local authorities will be unable to cope if increased numbers of families become homeless during the coronaviruspandemicandkits aftermath.

In March, the Government announced the suspension of evictions for three months to stoprenterslosingtheirhomes during the crisis.

Campaign group Generation Rent has called for this to beextended,whileSheltersays itis"critical"thatjudgesaregivenextrapowerstokeeppeople in their homes.

NewstatisticsfromtheMinistryofHousing,Communities and Local Government show a provisional67,280households were assessed as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless andeligibleforhelpinthefinal quarter of 2019.

Of the 39,170 homeless households whom councils had a duty to provide relief to during this period, 41% were helped to secure a home and 8% were not owed a relief duty for various reasons.

The remaining 51% werenothelpedwithin56days, councilslostcontactwiththem or refused an offer of accommodation.

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: "Even before the pandemiccouncilswerebarely able to help half the homeless people turning to them.

"The system will buckle if more families become homeless once the evictions ban is lifted without putting in protections for renters.

“I will unleash a wave of homelessness that will see councils drown and families needlessly suffer.

"It'scriticaljudgesaregiven extra powers to keep people in their homes."