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Homelessness charity Crisis says the long-standing government pledge to scrap Section 21 eviction powers can’t come soon enough.
The charity has backed up Labour’s claim that thousands are facing homelessness this Christmas, with over 5,000 households estimated to be at risk of losing their home in the final quarter of 2023.
This comes as Labour’s Deputy Leader and Shadow Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and shadow minister for homelessness Mike Amesbury, prepare to visit one of Crisis’ Skylight centres in London this week.
The charity claims to provide accommodation to over 590 people who would otherwise be sleeping rough in London, as well as opening three day centres for hundreds of people stuck in insecure accommodation such as hostels and B&Bs.
Chief executive Matt Downie says: “Christmas should be a time of celebration, but instead thousands of people will be experiencing homelessness, while others on the brink will be wondering if this Christmas will be the last in their own home.
“Through our services, we see how the lack of security for renters is driving up homelessness. Day in day out, we witness the emotional and financial toll it has on people. What’s more, the severe shortage of affordable housing means that people who are served an eviction notice often struggle to find somewhere else they can afford. It cannot be understated the immense stress this causes people, as they face the very real prospect of being thrust into homelessness.
“Scrapping no fault evictions cannot come soon enough, but ultimately we need the next government to commit to tackling the root causes of homelessness if we want to end it for good.
“This Christmas, we’ll once again be doing all we can to support people as they start their journey out of homelessness - offering warmth, companionship and vital support through both our Christmas and year-round services. We look forward to welcoming Angela and Mike into our Skylight centre next week, so they can learn more about our work and hear from the people we support, as only by working together will we end homelessness for good.”
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On a positive note Crisis actually provide roofs over needy heads but conversely they still have the lack of understanding what the devastating effect will be of removing S21. Having said that the threat of removal is already starting to bite with some intensity. What is wrong with Matt Downie? All he has to do is look back and see why the measure was introduced in the first place. Sure, build the social homes, but put them in place before you drive even more landlords out of the market.
If section 21 is abolished, I predict there will be a corresponding rise in fault evictions. No landlord evicts a good tenant. The problem is that section 21 hides the real reason the tenants being evicted and it is because they’re not paying the rent. Once section 21 is abolished the real level of rent dodging will be exposed.
If the government was serious about reducing evictions, they would do as Sandwell MBC has done and introduce mediation. My evictions in Sandwell has dropped by 80% since the introduction of call before you serve CB4YS mediation process.
Jim HaliburtonTheHMODaddy
As a business we supported Crisis for many years. We stopped last year when Downie showed his true colours as anti landlord. At the time I wrote him a lengthy email explaining how he and other "charities " were adversely affecting the PRS, he couldn't even be bothered to respond! We continue to support local charities.
Matt Downie talking horse feathers again.😡
They may have been served a 'no fault' eviction, but that does not mean it is a 'no reason' eviction. Section 21 is seen by most as the default way to end a tenancy, even if there are rent arrears, damage to property or Landlord needing to sell.
But it is good to hear from a homeless charity that does actually HELP homeless people, or those at risk of it...
Very good...... as all these "charities" "rightly" say..... lets get on with abolishing s.21 to solve the problem of homelessness.... once s.21 is abolished I expect their next campaign will be to abolish ANY form of eviction so landlords will be forced to keep any tenant no matter what the circumstances.... and after that? Force landlords to accept anyone would wants to live in one of their properties, whether they feel like paying or looking after the place or annoying the neighbours or not...?
By analogy... perhaps not a very good one..... why not abolish divorce entirely, and indeed any sort of "no fault" relationship breakdown, including from "common law" arrangements, and make it *much* harder ever to escape even the most toxic relationships..... and try to trap everyone everywhere....
Surlely that should end the problem of loneliness once and for all?!?!
.....Just like abolishing s.21 will end homelessness, haha?
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