Chartered Institute of Housing warns of "huge increase” in Section 21 no-fault eviction

New data on statutory homelessness shows a “worrying picture” of action that falls short of what is needed to avoid increases in the number of people left without a home, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has said.

It pointed to the latest annual statutory homelessness statistical release from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for 2021-22.

This showed 278,110 households were assessed as either being threatened with homelessness or already homeless, a 3.0% increase from the previous year.

The rise was driven by an 11% increase in households assessed as being ‘threatened with homelessness’, as those assessed as ‘already homeless’ declined by 4.0%.

A ban on eviction was in force during the pandemic but was later lifted and the CIH said the number of people at risk of homelessness from the private rented sector was up by 57% to 56,000 households.

It also noted what it called “a huge increase” in ‘Section 21’ no-fault eviction, up by some 120% equivalent to 19,790 households.

The number of working people facing homelessness was 16% higher over the year at 68,010 households and the number for families up by 24% to 93,290 households.

There was a 13% increase in households facing homelessness where the lead applicant was Asian, and 8.0% for those who were black.

The CIH noted: “These statistics present a worrying picture. [and] the sector is right to be extremely concerned.”

It pointed to the latest Kerslake Commission report cautioning that the cost of living crisis could have a “catastrophic” impact on homelessness without significant government action, and that the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ending Homelessness had reported that without further urgent action the Government would miss its manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping in England by 2024.

Last week’s mini budget did not provide the targeted support needed to get people through this winter and “avoid rapid increases in the number of people being homeless or faced with homelessness”, the CIH said.

A DLUHC spokesperson said: “These figures show the action we’re taking to tackle homelessness is continuing to have an impact.

“We are giving councils £316m to ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads with financial support to find a new home or temporary accommodation. Over half a million households have been prevented from becoming homeless or supported into settled accommodation since 2018 through the Homelessness Reduction Act.

“Our £37 bn package will support people manage the rising cost of living this winter, including £1,200 to help pay their bills.”

Mark Smulian