Government statistics released today show statutory homelessness in England remaining at record highs, while section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions are growing as a share of causes of homelessness support claims. Since the previous government’s 2019 pledge to abolish ‘section 21’ no-fault evictions, landlords have brought over 100,000 section 21 repossession claims to the courts. Campaigners called on the government to bring forward long-awaited rental reforms soon to “get a grip on the situation”.
New statutory homelessness statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government found that 38,440 households were listed as threatened with homelessness, a reduction of just 0.6% from the same quarter last year. This included 6,630 households threatened with homelessness after receiving a Section 21 notice – an increase of 1.2% from the same quarter last year, showing no fault evictions growing as a cause of homelessness prevention claims.
The figures included new recorded highs for homelessness relief and child homelessness. Homelessness relief claims (for those already homeless) – hit a new high of 48,080, an increase of over 11% on the previous year’s quarter, and an unprecedented 151,630 children were recorded as living in temporary accommodation.
Separately, data released by the Ministry of Justice found that landlord repossessions by bailiffs increased by 16% on the previous year’s quarter, from 5,950 to 6,927. The total number of section 21 claims brought to the courts by landlords since the government pledged to abolish the practice in 2019 now stands at 109,538.
Homelessness organisations and renters’ rights campaigners have called for urgent action to end no fault evictions and reforms to provide renters with security in their homes.
Tom Darling, Director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:
“Everyone deserves to live in a decent affordable home, but for millions of us this is made impossible by a broken renting system. Renters in England have been waiting for years for basic reforms while this social crisis has spiralled out of control, with soaring rents forcing families out of their homes and no-fault evictions leading to record levels of child homelessness.”
“While in opposition this government pledged to end no fault evictions “immediately”, and the King’s speech last month rightly promised a ‘Renters’ Rights Bill’. However, renters cannot afford to wait much longer – we must see legislation brought forward soon to get a grip on the situation and address the renting crisis.”