The latest figures on statutory
homelessness show:
- An 18% increase in the number of households who were homeless
and helped by councils as a result of a no-fault eviction
compared to last year.
- 9,800 households in total approached their council as they
were at risk of homelessness due to a no-fault eviction between
April and June 2023.
- Families with children living in B&Bs are up 93% on a
year ago.
- Families with children in B&Bs beyond the six-week legal
limit are up 146% on a year ago and 39% on the previous three
months.
Darren Baxter, Principal Policy Adviser at JRF,
says:
"Homelessness is on the rise and more families face the threat of
eviction through no fault of their own. Families with children
are being left with no choice but to live in unsuitable and
costly temporary accommodation because of a lack of social
housing.
"The Government must bring in the Renters Reform Bill and abolish
Section 21 without any more delays. The Bill must also be
strengthened so it actually provides private renters with greater
security than they currently have. This should include doubling
the notice period for tenants when evicted under new no-fault
grounds to four months. Tenants should also be protected from
eviction for two years at the start of a tenancy. We must also
build more social housing so that children aren’t left
languishing in temporary accommodation while they wait for a
suitable home."
