The Local Government Association (LGA) has set out a six-point
plan needed to protect vulnerable households who could lose their
homes when the ban on bailiff evictions ends on May 31 and tackle
homelessness in the long-term.
A ban on bailiff-enforced evictions -
which provided vital reassurance to renters during the pandemic -
is due to lift at the end of this month. Councils recognise that
the ban cannot continue indefinitely but remain concerned about
families on the “cliff-edge” of becoming
homeless.
The LGA said councils want to work with
the Government on a plan to support and protect households to
stay in their homes, in as many cases as
possible.
This includes monitoring the impact of
the end of the ban, ensuring councils have access to resources to
support people to keep their tenancies, improving support through
the welfare system in the short-term, and powers to acquire and
build more affordable homes in the
long-term.
The LGA, which represents councils, is
calling for a package of measures
including:
-
Bringing forward the Government’s
pledge to end ‘no fault evictions’, which will prevent more
households from becoming homeless once the stay on bailiff
proceedings is lifted;
-
Improved protection through the welfare
system, including maintaining the £20 per week increase in
Universal Credit, due to end in September 2021 and maintaining
Local Housing Allowance rates at the lowest third of market
rents;
-
An immediate review of the impact of
the overall benefits cap in the context of the
pandemic;
-
Ensuring that councils have enough
resources to support households at risk of homelessness – this
includes restoration of local welfare funding to at least £250
million a year and a review of the Discretionary Housing
Payment scheme, so that councils can continue to play a vital
role in alleviating financial
hardship;
-
Powers for councils to acquire empty
homes, including making it easier to use Compulsory Purchase
Order powers to buy properties and help move households on from
temporary accommodation;
-
Setting out plans to deliver a
step-change in social housing – the LGA is calling for 100,000
social homes for rent to be delivered every
year
Councils, working closely with central
government, have put in a monumental effort during the pandemic
to rapidly get 37,000 rough sleepers and homeless people and into
safe and suitable accommodation.
By working together, we have shown
what can be achieved when all parts of the public and voluntary
sector pull together towards a shared goal. Councils want to
build on this success and work with government on a
cross-departmental homelessness prevention strategy to end rough
sleeping and make sure nobody suffers the tragedy of becoming
homeless.
Cllr David Renard, LGA housing
spokesperson, said:
“The Government was right to introduce
the ban on evictions, and eviction enforcement, from the start of
the pandemic. It gave vital reassurance to families who were at
risk of losing their homes.
“We also understand that the ban cannot
last indefinitely. However, lifting the ban will leave some
households at the cliff-edge of becoming homeless. This is why it
is essential we ensure there is a safety net of support in place
to prevent this from happening.
“Our six-point plan would help ensure as
many people as possible remain in their homes and go towards
preventing homelessness from happening in the first
place.”
