The Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee is calling on the public to submit evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness, rough-sleeping, and the private rented sector.
The Committee is particularly keen to find out how effective government measures have been in helping homeless people and those living in the private rented sector during the pandemic, what problems remain an immediate concern for these groups, and what challenges these groups are likely to face post-lockdown.
In recent weeks, the government has faced criticism from numerous politicians, campaigners and renters’ organisations, who say that new measures aimed at protecting renters during the crisis do not go far enough.
Shocking reports have emerged detailing how a huge number of sacked hospitality workers have been forced to sleep on the streets, having lost their homes after falling behind with rent payments. One fifth of the UK population lives in privately rented accommodation, and according to research carried out for the Guardian by Opinium, one in four renters said they had already had to voluntarily leave their home, move in with friends or parents, or request an earlier end to their tenancy because of coronavirus related financial difficulties.
This news comes despite Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick’s reassurance to renters that “the government is clear – no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home.” This supposed “complete ban” on evictions was widely criticised after it emerged that the coronavirus bill merely extends the notice required for possession from two months to three. The government’s website makes it clear that regardless of their current job situation, renters in UK are still required to pay their rent in full. If they cannot do so, regardless of this extension of the eviction notice period, they are still being forced to make alternative arrangements.
Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey tweeted:
We’ve finally had the government’s amendment to the coronavirus bill spelling out its proposals on evictions, and I’m afraid it’s now clear Boris Johnson has broken his promise to the country’s 20 million renters. This is not an evictions ban. This legislation does not stop people losing their homes as a result of coronavirus, just gives them some extra time to pack their bags.
The government also claims to have provided significant additional financial support for those who are struggling to pay their rent, but this claim does not appear to stand up to scrutiny either.
The announcement that Local Housing Allowance, the housing benefit for private renters, would be increasing to cover at least 30 per cent of market rents in the claimant’s area is misleading. This increase was planned before the pandemic hit, and represents a mere 1.7% increase in payments that will see claimants receive on average just £10 a month more.
In contrast, a considerable amount of help has been made available to homeowners, including buy-to-let landlords, in the form of ‘mortgage holidays’. Mortgage holidays allow homeowners to defer mortgage payments for up to three months, and to agree on a manageable way to make up these payments once this period is over.
Commenting on this discrepancy, Claire, a healthcare worker and member of the Brighton branch of the renters’ union ACORN, said:
As we know that this virus doesn’t discriminate against homeowners or renters, so it’s really important that our government provides renters with the same support that homeowners have got. They need to make sure that we won’t get evicted and won’t have to pay back unaffordable arrears.
Furthermore, casualised workers or people who have lost their jobs still face a five-week wait for initial Universal Credit payments. There are no plans from the government to shorten this waiting period in response to the financial impact of the pandemic. In dealing with rent arrears from people in this position, the government has simply urged landlords to “be compassionate”:
ACORN Brighton’s Head Organiser, Paul Williams, said:
The coronavirus crisis is hitting our members and their communities hard. Members who are contracted workers are waiting for government back-payments of wages. Self-employed or casualised workers are relying on a broken Universal Credit system. Many of our members are at risk of missing rent payments and losing their homes. The government’s response to the crisis has been delayed, pitifully inadequate, and full of gaps.
The budget of the 11th March 2020 set out emergency financial measures to be introduced to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak and the economic impact it will have on businesses and employees. The budget did not set out any plans to protect renters from eviction or rent arrears. ACORN is calling for the government to take action to protect renters, demanding rent waivers, mortgage waivers, and all evictions stopped.
Evidence can be submitted to the Select Committee online by following this link, and submissions can be anonymous. For renters who are struggling, ACORN can offer advice and support.
Featured image: © Salford CVS.
