The threat of people losing their home if they rent is at
its highest level in more than a decade, official figures from the Ministry of
Justice show. Benefit changes, including the introduction of the bedroom tax,
and an increase in sanctions, such as housing benefit being suspended, are
driving up the number being threatened with eviction. 31,000 people in social
housing received a notice to seek possession at the start of this year. That’s
525 a day. “Housing benefit is a safety
net and for many it’s all that stands between them and homelessness,” says
Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis. “Homelessness has been on the rise
for the last three years. Rough sleeping in particular has risen steeply and by
a massive 75 per cent in London. Harsh cuts to housing benefits and a lack of
affordable housing have taken a heavy toll.” Read more on the New Statesman
website.
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