26th
Aug 2015
Since 2011 when benefits’ cuts were introduced, they are being blamed for tenant evictions rising by a staggering 46% across England and Wales.
According to MoJ’s (Ministry of Justice) statistics, more than 43,000 privately renting households from July 2014- June 2015, have been evicted from their homes.
Apparently the benefit cuts coupled with rent increases are the main causes for the evictions.
A letting agency says that the average home’s rental price is £1,000 per month, an increase of £100 over the last twelve months.
Chief Executive Campbell Robb, of the homeless charity Shelter, is calling for the government to help people who cannot afford to pay for a home by "investing in building genuinely affordable homes."
"Every day at Shelter we see the human cost of the country's unfolding affordability crisis with growing numbers of families finding themselves on the verge of homelessness, and petrified that any small drop in income could leave them with the bailiffs knocking at the door."
Statistics show that more and more landlords are deciding not to rent out homes to people on benefits, since 2011. It also highlights the fact that less than 10% of landlords have reduced their rents since the introduction of the cuts.
Department for Communities and Local Government’s spokesperson stated that repossessions are continuing to fall by 17% over the last twelve months. Landlord possession claims had also fallen by 14% from the previous three months and were at their lowest point since three years ago.
The spokesperson said: "This Government has kept strong protections to guard families against the threat of homelessness. We've increased spending to prevent homelessness with over £500 million made available to help the most vulnerable in society and ensure we don't return to the bad old days when homelessness in England was nearly double what it is today."
Image Source: The Independent
News Archive »