Friday, 6 September 2013

Rising Homelessness Points to Welfare Reform Blowback

The homelessness statistics are out again, and once again show a steady increase in the number of families losing their home. Popular perception is that people become homeless after some personal catastrophe – divorce, job loss, perhaps alcoholism. The real reasons stem far more from our dysfunctional housing market, as starkly underscored by the latest figures.

Nearly three in ten (27%) households accepted as homeless between April and June lost their home because their landlord simply decided to stop letting it to them. Private renting in the UK is insecure and renters sometimes forget how much they are at the mercy of their landlord. They may also overestimate the market’s ability to provide an affordable alternative if they do have to move.  Read more on the Shelter blog.

No comments: