Surge in Homelessness among Young People across the UK

The numbers of homeless young people depending on councils and charities to put a roof over their heads, is three times greater than those officially recorded by the British government. According to a study by Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research, 83,000 homeless young people had to rely on charities and councils for shelter in 2013-14—far exceeding the 26,852 recorded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. At any one time, around 35,000 young people live in homeless accommodation across the UK. Most of the UK’s homeless young people (63,976) were located in England. Of these, 17,711 are located in the largest city, London. In Wales 4,133 were reported, 12,107 in Scotland and 3,025 in Northern Ireland. Download the report from the CHPR website.

Downsizing Tenants Face 24-Year Wait For Homes

It would take 24 years to rehouse everyone hit by the bedroom tax in the east of England who needs a one bedroom home even if a third of those properties were set aside for them each year.  A report by Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research found it would still take eight years to rehouse all those under-occupying who need a one bedroom property if almost every vacant one bed home was allocated to them.  It would take the region’s councils almost 23 years to clear their waiting lists if they adopted this approach. The report concluded many tenants would ‘pay to stay’, spending an average of £14 a week, while awaiting a transfer.  A 24-year wait would cost them £17,472.  Read more on Inside Housing.

Tenant Panels

The National Tenant Organisations are carrying out two projects to develop a framework for local tenant panels. One is a project funded by Government to provide helpful information to tenants and landlords that might help in the setting up and development of tenant panels. The other is funded through the NTOs to develop an accreditation system for tenant panels. Find more details on the Confederation of Co-operative Housing website.

Comparison Of Stock, Rents And Service Charges Among Different Types Of Social Landlords

This paper draws comparisons of stock, rents and service charges between four different types of social landlord; Traditional mixed funded Registered Social LandLords (RSLs); RSLs who have taken over local authority stock via Large Scale Voluntary Transfer; Local authorities (retention LAs); and Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMO).