- 71 per cent of councils have seen a surge in statutory
homelessness since June 2021, with a quarter of local authorities
seeing this increase dramatically over recent months.
- Councils warn that work to protect vulnerable risks being
lost, with over 60 per cent of councils seeing statutory
homelessness applications from people they had previously housed
using emergency measures in the pandemic.
- 70 per cent of councils see rise in families seeking support
for debt relief, obtaining food as well as affording other
essentials.
On the opening day of their Annual Conference, the District
Councils Network are warning of a surge in homelessness and a
rise in families needing help with the cost of living since the
ban on evictions ended earlier this year.
This early warning comes as the effects of the removal of the
universal credit uplift, furlough and other measures are yet to
fully bite. This winter will likely see more cost of living
increases, rising inflation, and residents at further risk of
eviction. Districts are therefore calling for the resources and
measures to address this ahead of a difficult winter.
In a survey of district councils in England, 71 per cent had seen
an increase in homelessness acceptances in the last four months,
being residents defined as homeless, or at severe risk of being
homeless and needing assistance, with a quarter of those surveyed
saying that this had increased dramatically.
The majority of councils have also seen people given emergency
housing as part of the Everyone In scheme back in the
homelessness cycle again, suggesting there is a risk of the work
done by the Government and councils to protect the most in need
during the pandemic being lost.
The survey found that 70 per cent of councils had seen a rise in
families in particular needing support, including help with
obtaining food and essentials, managing debts, and advice and
support in seeking accommodation.
Councils are concerned that these increased challenges could be
compounded by a drop in the availability of private rented
accommodation, with three quarters of councils citing large
numbers of landlords selling up due to the pandemic as adding to
pressure on local housing supply.
As the District Councils Network, who represent district councils
in England, meet for their annual conference they are calling for
the Government to directly fund the tools housing and benefits
teams need to tackle the likely rise in homelessness this winter.
The survey also found that:
- Nine in ten councils have seen an increase in residents
needing support for severe mental health needs, with over half of
these councils confirming this increase as significant.
- Over 9 in 10 councils reported an increased challenge from
supporting residents with other complex needs
- 84 per cent of councils reported that there had been
increases in people fleeing domestic abuse, with concerns raised
that this could cause significant pressures on council services.
Cllr Phil King, DCN Better Lives spokesperson said:
“The findings of this survey reveal the stark impact the pandemic
and the ending of emergency support measures continues to have on
households across the country.
“During the pandemic, councils and the government worked together
to help protect those who are most vulnerable through the
Everyone In initiative, the temporary banning of no-fault
evictions, and other measures such as furlough and the Universal
Credit uplift.
“However, as this survey shows, we risk much of this work being
undone, with those who benefitted from this support becoming
homeless once again.
“We need to urgently tackle this rise in homelessness by
permanently lifting housing benefit for tenants in private rented
housing, and increasing funding for councils in the upcoming
spending review to provide a preventative safety net for those in
need, and support to invest in a renaissance of council house
building to create homes, jobs and growth.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The results reported in this press release are from the District
Councils Network’s Hardship Survey, completed by 56 councils from
across the country covering the period June 2021 to October
2021.
‘Homelessness’ in this survey is defined by an
individual/individuals making a statutory homelessness
application to their local authority under the provisions of the
Housing Act 1996.
