National Audit Office – Homelessness report

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The National Audit Office has released its homelessness report with all indices rising isn’t it time the government works with landlords rather than using them as a political expediency.

Click Here to see full report.

60% increase in households in temporary accommodation since March 2011 with 77,240 households in temporary accommodation @ March 2017

£1.15 billion – the cost of homelessness to Local Authorities in 2015-2016

88,410 households applied for homelessness assistance during 2016-2017

Threefold increase In the number of households recorded as homeless following the end of an assured shorthold tenancy since 2010-11. Surely this is one of the most telling statistics and shows the results of financial and political attacks post Section 24 mortgage interest restrictions with PRS landlords looking to exit the housing Market.

Click Here  to read Dr Rosalind Beck’s comprehensive report on Section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, attacks the government on its record saying: “Homelessness in all its forms has significantly increased in recent years, driven by several factors. Despite this, government has not evaluated the impact of its reforms on this issue, and there remain gaps in its approach. It is difficult to understand why the Department persisted with its light touch approach in the face of such a visibly growing problem. Its recent performance in reducing homelessness therefore cannot be considered value for money”.

The report summary indicated:

“The ending of private sector tenancies has overtaken all other causes to become the biggest single driver of statutory homelessness in England. The proportion of households accepted as homeless by local authorities due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy increased from 11% during 2009-10 to 32% during 2016-17. The proportion in London increased during the same period from 10% to 39%. Across England, the ending of private sector tenancies accounts for 74% of the growth in households who qualify for temporary accommodation since 2009-10. In addition, it appears likely that the decrease in affordability of properties in the private rented sector, of which welfare reforms such as the capping of Local Housing Allowance are an element, have driven this increase in homelessness.”

“The ability of local authorities to respond to increased homelessness is constrained by the limited options they have to house homeless families. There has been a significant reduction in social housing over the past few decades.”

Surely the government needs the PRS now more than ever?

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