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How can you slow the unstoppable rise of evictions? How can you slow the unstoppable rise of evictions?
(8 days later)
The number of tenants being evicted by their landlords is at a record high. Last week Ministry of Justice figures revealed that in the three months to September 2014 more than 11,000 individuals and families lost their homes. According to housing charity Shelter that means more than 40,000 families have been evicted in a year – a 117% rise on the previous year. The number of tenants being evicted by their landlords is at a record high. Last week Ministry of Justice figures revealed that in the three months to September 2014 more than 11,000 individuals and families lost their homes. According to housing charity Shelter that means more than 40,000 families have been evicted in a year – an 11.7% rise on the previous year.
The reasons for the spike are numerous but nevertheless hard to prevent under current government policy. The impact of benefit cuts and caps has left tenants unable to pay their rent and many private landlords now evict or turn away poorer tenants (or those in increasingly common zero-hours contracts).The reasons for the spike are numerous but nevertheless hard to prevent under current government policy. The impact of benefit cuts and caps has left tenants unable to pay their rent and many private landlords now evict or turn away poorer tenants (or those in increasingly common zero-hours contracts).
There’s also the constant pressure for landlords (both small and large) to capitalise on their investment and sell up or raise the rent, as demonstrated in the public battle over the future of the New Era estate in east London.There’s also the constant pressure for landlords (both small and large) to capitalise on their investment and sell up or raise the rent, as demonstrated in the public battle over the future of the New Era estate in east London.
Housing charities are campaigning vigorously to help tenants keep a roof over their heads, and councils are hiring tenancy liaison staff to support people facing a legal dispute over their home. But unless the economy improves rapidly, or government changes its policies – or both – prospects for renters remain bleak.Housing charities are campaigning vigorously to help tenants keep a roof over their heads, and councils are hiring tenancy liaison staff to support people facing a legal dispute over their home. But unless the economy improves rapidly, or government changes its policies – or both – prospects for renters remain bleak.
Meanwhile, the chasm between renters and homeowners grows ever wider. Not only is housing policy aimed to benefit owners rather than renters, there is also a two-tier support system in place once difficulties arise.Meanwhile, the chasm between renters and homeowners grows ever wider. Not only is housing policy aimed to benefit owners rather than renters, there is also a two-tier support system in place once difficulties arise.
At the same time evictions reached a record high, mortgage repossessions have fallen to their lowest for a decade. While in the five years between 2008 and 2013, the number of homes repossessed dropped by 63%.At the same time evictions reached a record high, mortgage repossessions have fallen to their lowest for a decade. While in the five years between 2008 and 2013, the number of homes repossessed dropped by 63%.
Of course these figures coincide with historically low interest rates, making mortgage repayments more affordable than ever before. But that’s not the only factor.Of course these figures coincide with historically low interest rates, making mortgage repayments more affordable than ever before. But that’s not the only factor.
Between January 2009 and March 2014, the government funded a project aimed at keeping owners in difficulty in their homes. The mortgage rescue scheme gave homeowners facing repossession access to other options, including becoming a tenant of an organisation such as a housing association or council which takes over ownership of the home or taking a loan from such an organisation to reduce the mortgage debt to an affordable level. The stake can then be repaid on sale. With all these options the struggling homeowner can resolve their worries without having to move home.Between January 2009 and March 2014, the government funded a project aimed at keeping owners in difficulty in their homes. The mortgage rescue scheme gave homeowners facing repossession access to other options, including becoming a tenant of an organisation such as a housing association or council which takes over ownership of the home or taking a loan from such an organisation to reduce the mortgage debt to an affordable level. The stake can then be repaid on sale. With all these options the struggling homeowner can resolve their worries without having to move home.
Although it was very popular, directly preventing more than 5,000 repossessions and encouraging the provision of early advice and support services that no doubt helped many more families facing crisis, the scheme has been axed. Whether or not this is considered a good use of taxpayers’ money, given that owners know the risks as well as the rewards when they take out a mortgage, may depend on your political persuasions. What is has proved is that a rescue and mediation model works.Although it was very popular, directly preventing more than 5,000 repossessions and encouraging the provision of early advice and support services that no doubt helped many more families facing crisis, the scheme has been axed. Whether or not this is considered a good use of taxpayers’ money, given that owners know the risks as well as the rewards when they take out a mortgage, may depend on your political persuasions. What is has proved is that a rescue and mediation model works.
Eviction figures cannot be allowed to keep rising at a time when homelessness services and temporary accommodation are both unable to keep up with demand. A similar service to the mortgage rescue scheme but aimed at helping renters by providing emergency funding or legal advice is needed to stem the rising tide of evictions.It will cost money but the experience of living in temporary accommodation costs families and communities far more in the long run.Eviction figures cannot be allowed to keep rising at a time when homelessness services and temporary accommodation are both unable to keep up with demand. A similar service to the mortgage rescue scheme but aimed at helping renters by providing emergency funding or legal advice is needed to stem the rising tide of evictions.It will cost money but the experience of living in temporary accommodation costs families and communities far more in the long run.
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This article was amended on 27 November. The annual percentage increase of evictions according to Shelter was 11.7%, not 117%.