Housing Bosses Warn Of Huge Increase In Evictions Once Lockdown Ends

Housing organisations in the North have warned that they expect a massive spike in evictions once the lockdown ends. Concern has focused on people in privately-rented accommodation who have been struggling to pay their rent because their income has fallen. The Government introduced emergency legislation in March banning landlords from starting proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three month period. But it means some tenants could rack up huge rent arrears, which they will be expected to pay eventually, and some could continue to have reduced incomes as a result of the economic downturn and increase in unemployment caused by the lockdown. Read more on the Chronicle website.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/housing-bosses-warn-huge-increase-18238625

Council Tenants Rack Up Massive Rent Arrears After Changes

The chaotic launch of a new benefits system meant Newcastle council tenants racked up hundreds of thousands of pounds in debts. Tenants on the new system owe New Homes Newcastle, the body which manages housing on behalf of the city council, a total of £784,000. It follows the launch of Universal Credit in city jobcentres. The new system of paying benefits is to be introduced across the country, but early trials have been launched in areas of the country including Newcastle. The level of arrears in the city was revealed by Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell, as she led a House of Commons debate attended by Government Ministers. Read more on the Newcastle Chronicle.

Housebuilders Have 'Licence To Print Money'

Experts claims housebuilders have a “licence to print money” as rock solid demand for housing delivers bumper sales for a raft of firms. The comments came as Persimmon issued a buoyant set of third quarter results, pushing up the share prices 2% in early trading. The company described trading in the weeks following Britain’s decision to quit the European Union as “encouraging”, adding that customer activity strengthened at the start of autumn. After the firm posted its results, Neil Wilson, markets analyst, said: “In fact being a housebuilder right now in Britain, with ultra-low interest rates and Help to Buy, is a licence to print money. A chronic shortage of housing means they can rely on rock solid demand whatever the economic conditions.” Read more on the Chronicle website.

MoD Accused Of Deliberately Providing Soldiers With Shabby Housing

The Ministry of Defence has been accused of deliberately providing poor quality housing for soldiers and their families - so it can save money by moving them out. MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the MoD was letting family accommodation “degrade”, so that a planned new system of housing looks more attractive. She criticised plans to move armed forces personnel and their families into privately-rented homes, or to help them buy their own home. It would mean that the MoD provided funding to pay their housing costs, rather than directly providing housing at a highly subsidised rent as it does now. Read more on the Newcastle Chronicle website.

Housing Associations Issue Dire Warnings About 'Right To Buy

Housing associations providing homes for thousands of people across the North East have warned that Government plans to let tenants buy properties at a discount could lead to a major shortage of affordable accommodation. In a series of warnings issued to a Commons inquiry, they said:

• They won’t have enough money to build new homes to replace those sold

• Tenants risk taking on debts they can’t afford in order to buy properties

• Homes would end up in the hands of buy-to-let landlords

• Philanthropists who used to back housing associations will stop making donations

Read more on the Newcastle Chronicle website.

ALMO CEO Stands Down In Restructure

The chief executive of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) is to step down after 10 years at the helm of the city’s housing provider. John Lee will leave at the end of the year after heading up the arms-length management organisation (Almo), owned by Newcastle City Council, since it was set up in 2004. Mr Lee had been seconded as a business expert to the council in August to help it become more commercially focused, but it is understood he has now accepted a voluntary redundancy arrangement. It comes following a YHN board meeting in which a restructure was agreed and amid housing reforms and continuing central government austerity. Also, in a significant change to the management of the city’s housing, “financial and strategic accountability” for the housing revenue account has been passed back to the city council. Read more on the Newcastle Chronicle website.

Thousands Were Waiting To Downsize Before Bedroom Tax

Almost 40,000 households across the North of England were on the waiting list for one-bedroom social homes just as the Bedroom Tax came into force. Opponents warned at the time that people had ‘spare’ bedrooms only because of a lack of available smaller properties following years of councils selling off their social housing stock.  Labour MPs across the North have reacted with fury at the figures, which they say highlight their concerns that thousands have been unfairly hit with the “pernicious” and “ideological” bedroom tax thanks to government failure to build enough homes. Read more on the Newcastle Chronicle website.

As Bedroom Tax Bites Housing Arrears in Newcastle Soar

The bedroom tax has left Newcastle facing more than £250,000 of debt just weeks after hard-hit families were told to pay up. Across the city new figures show council tenants have from day one been unable to find the extra money needed as the Government cuts housing benefits for those with spare rooms.

In just six weeks the figure stood at £200,000-worth of new arrears for housing managers at Your Homes Newcastle. Continuing unemployment means overall rent arrears are more than half a million pounds higher than the housing provider would expect, and the figures are getting higher.  The bill could rise to £2m over a year.  Read more on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle website.