DISTRICT COUNCILS RESPOND TO SHELTER REPORT

Responding to research by Shelter warning of the homelessness fears private renting parents face as a result of the coronavirus, Cllr Tom Beattie, Vice Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

“As our own research has shown, almost half a million households are at high risk of becoming homeless as a result of the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. This includes a high number of lone parents, whom we have particular concern for.

“Many families were already struggling to keep a roof over their heads before the coronavirus struck.

“This has now been exacerbated by the pandemic, and we have grave concerns that the huge impact on jobs and incomes could send many of these families over the edge and into homelessness in the coming months, particularly those struggling to pay their rent in the private rented sector.

“Councils, landlords, charities and other partners are all working hard to prevent people becoming homeless, however there is only so much they can do.

“This is why government needs to act now by permanently lifting housing benefit for tenants in private rented housing, increasing funding for councils to prevent homelessness, and to invest in a renaissance of council house building to provide much-needed affordable homes to rent.”