HCLG Committee Chair calls for extension of Covid-19 eviction ban and resumption of Everyone In strategy

Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Clive Betts MP, has called on the Government to reassure renters by confirming the current ban on evictions will be extended beyond 11 January. As it stands, individuals who are struggling to pay rent due to the financial fall out of the pandemic could be forced to leave their homes as soon as 25 January.

The Chair has further called on the Government to reinstate the Everyone In programme to ensure that no one is forced to sleep on the streets during this time.

Clive Betts MP said:

“With the new lock down set to last for weeks and potentially months, it is vital that the Government does all it can to protect those who find themselves in financial difficulties and struggling to pay their rent. Equally, as we are in the harshest months of the year and facing a significantly more contagious strain of the virus there should be no one lacking a safety net and having to sleep rough.

“Last March, the Government saved hundreds of lives by bringing Everyone In off the streets. It should think again on its decision not to reinstate this programme. They should be doing all they can to protect rough sleepers once again by bringing together local authorities and charities to make sure everyone has safe accommodation.

“The current ban on eviction notices ends on January 11. It would be wrong to allow evictions to happen during a national lockdown, except in cases with antisocial behaviour and other existing exemptions. It is disappointing the Government is again leaving it until the last minute to announce an inevitable extension to the evictions ban. They must also plan for what happens when we begin to fully emerge from the pandemic and move towards some form of normality. The consequences of being unable to pay rent could last for a very long time.”