Wera Concerned for Families in Private Rented Sector at Risk of Homelessness

25 August 2020

Commenting on the Government’s announcement that it would extend the ban on evictions from 23rd August until 20th September, Wera Hobhouse said:

“This is a welcome step but extending the ban a month at a time does little to provide security and peace of mind for families in private rented accommodation deemed at risk of homelessness.”

“We don’t yet know the full extent of the economic fallout from the pandemic, but sadly we can anticipate continuing hardship for many.”

“Private rental accommodation in Bath is very costly. Families will do everything they possibly can to remain in their homes but this could mean spending less on essentials such as food or heating in order to pay their rent. This situation underlines the urgent need to build 100,000 more social homes for rent each year nationally as a vital step in addressing the housing crisis.”

“We are heading towards autumn and winter. Homelessness is always a worry and could be lethal during the pandemic. The Government must provide a sustainable solution to this problem to stop a potential surge in homelessness.”

According to official statistics for the period January to March 2020, 82 households in Bath and North East Somerset were assessed as being threatened with homelessness, with another 53 assessed as homeless. 32 households who were homeless or threatened with homelessness cited the end of a private rented tenancy as the reason for losing their last settled home.