The LGA has set out a six-point plan to protect vulnerable households who could face the prospect of losing their homes, following the lifting of the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions at the end of May.
It is calling for a package of measures to be introduced, including: bringing forward the Government’s pledge to end ‘no fault evictions’; improved protection through the welfare system (including maintaining increases in universal credit and local housing allowance rates); and an immediate review of the impact of the overall benefits cap in the context of the pandemic.
Councils should have enough resources to support households at risk of homelessness – this includes restoration of local welfare funding to at least £250 million a year.
The plan also calls for powers for councils to acquire empty homes, and for a step-change in social housing – the LGA is calling for 100,000 social homes for rent to be delivered every year.
Cllr David Renard, the LGA’s Housing Spokesperson, said: “The Government was right to introduce the ban on evictions, and eviction enforcement, from the start of the pandemic. It gave vital reassurance to families who were at risk of losing their homes.
“However, lifting the ban will leave some households at the cliff-edge of becoming homeless.
“Our six-point plan would help ensure as many people as possible remain in their homes and go towards preventing homelessness from happening in the first place.”