Housing Crisis Drives More Than 1m Private Tenants Deeper Into Poverty

More than a million vulnerable people on low incomes are being driven deeper into poverty after being shunted into the private rental sector due to an acute shortage of social accommodation. A report commissioned by the Nationwide Foundation, an independent charity, says that the shortfall in social housing has been met by a doubling in size of the private rented sector in the past 25 years. But this has forced more households, many on benefits with dependent children or a disabled family member, to pay significantly more for unsuitable housing. Download the report from the University of York website.

https://www.york.ac.uk/media/news-and-events/pressreleases/2018/the-evolving-private-rented-sector.pdf

New Landmark Review Of PRS Slams Policies

A landmark review of the private rented sector in England by academics at the University of York has criticised successive governments for poor policy-making and a lack of strategy that is failing millions of tenants. The Evolving Private Rented Sector: its Contribution and Potential, funded by the Nationwide Foundation, is a detailed, independent analysis of who lives in private rented housing, how their needs are being met and the impact of policy interventions over the last ten years. It comes a decade after Dr Julie Rugg and David Rhodes published their original review of the private rented sector – the first to look in detail at how it functioned. Read more on the propertytribes website.

https://www.propertytribes.com/new-landmark-review-of-prs-slams-policies-t-127636308.html

‘Property MOT’ Proposed To Test Poor Conditions In Over 1.3m PRS Homes

MOT style tests for PRS properties are pitched in a landmark report by academics at the University of York which criticises successive governments for poor policy-making and a lack of strategy that is failing millions of tenants. As envisaged in the review, this ‘MOT’ would operate in a similar way to that which exists for cars: all properties let for residential purposes would be required to undergo an annual standardised inspection. It would bring together current requirements such as electrical and gas safety certificates and energy efficiency reports, but also include a new assessment according to a basic minimum standard. The ‘test’ would be conducted by independent inspectors and would be a tax-deductible business cost for landlords. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/property-mot-proposed-to-test-poor-conditions-in-over-1-3m-prs-homes/

Social Housing Myths Debunked

The myths that social housing residents are characterised by high levels of benefit dependency, long-term unemployment and limited aspiration are debunked by new research. The latest Real London Lives report from the g15 group of London’s largest housing associations also shows that, contrary to common perceptions, migrants and single parents have no advantage in the allocation of housing. The research is the first qualitative report from a three-year study commissioned from the University of York and demonstrates that housing association residents in London live lives of remarkable diversity. Download either the full report or a summary from the Real London Lives website.

Report Praises Crisis for Its 'Innovative' Help for Homeless

Homelessness charity Crisis has been praised for its "major innovation" in providing education and employment support for homeless people. The report from the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York looked at education models around the world and concluded that Crisis has made "one of the most advanced and comprehensive attempts" at helping homeless people to re-enter society. It also highlights impressive achievements in getting people into secure paid work. In 2012 and 2013, Crisis helped to secure 852 paid jobs, 3,904 exam passes and certificates and 1,191 training places across the country. Download a copy of the report from the Crisis website.

Homelessness on Rise

Government figures report another rise in homelessness as new research published by homelessness charity Crisis warns that the situation is set to get worse. The Homelessness Monitor: Tracking the Impacts of Policy and Economic Change in England, commissioned by Crisis and undertaken by Heriot-Watt University and the University of York, warns that after years of stable or falling levels of homelessness, 2010 marked the turning point when homelessness in all its forms started to rise again. The research predicts that the worst is yet to come as the continuing economic downturn combined with the Coalition Government's radical reforms and weakening of the welfare state will leave many more people facing the threat or reality of homelessness. The new statutory homelessness figures released today by the CLG show that the number of homeless households owed an accommodation duty by their local authority ("acceptances") is up by 17% on the same quarter last year, to 11,820. This is from a total of 25,890 local authority homelessness assessment decisions - a 14% rise over the same period. These statistics are also the first since the Government cut Local Housing Allowance (Housing Benefit) for new claimants in April and shockingly, the figures show a 46% rise on the same period last year in the number of people being accepted as homeless as a result of their tenancy in the private rented sector ending. Read more and find a link to the research paper on the Crisis website.

Housing Benefit Crucial to Combat Poverty

Helping low-income families with housing costs has a larger impact on their welfare than any other type of support, according to a study. The European Commission-funded report says government policy can play a crucial role in weakening the links between poverty and poor housing. The study, which took place in six European countries with varying welfare systems, says housing outcomes such as affordability, physical and space standards and neighbourhood quality are driven by housing conditions in the country as a whole, reflecting not only general living standards but housing interventions. The study comes at a time when the UK government is proposing to reduce housing benefit payments, placing a cap on the amounts that can be claimed, and setting rents at a lower rate. Find the report (plus full statistical analysis) on the University of York’s website by clicking on the logo below.