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Legal News

Homelessness Crisis Looming (4 November 2021)

Date: 04/11/2021
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Homelessness Crisis Looming

As a result of many of the Covid-19 measures coming to an end, it is very likely that there will be a sharp rise in the number of people facing homelessness across England and Wales.

It goes without saying that the ‘Everyone In’ scheme has been a huge success in bringing rough sleepers off the streets into emergency accommodation during the pandemic. New government figures found English councils assisted 268,560 households to prevent or relieve homelessness during the first year of the pandemic.

Whilst the Government states that the scheme is still operating, as advised by Inside Housing, local authorities have recently been instructed to close some hotels during the pandemic as a condition of the funding arrangements. As such, we are now facing the prospect of far more people becoming street homeless again.

Nonetheless, living in emergency accommodation is only meant to be temporary, and further support needs to be provided into moving the homeless into permanent housing.

Shelter warns that the ending of the eviction ban on 31st May 2021 is a precursor of the impending homelessness crisis. Given the ban has been lifted it is expected that we could see an increase in the number of those being made homeless.

Moreover, a substantial amount of people risk losing their homes as a result of Covid-19 support having been withdrawn such as the furlough scheme and the £20 universal credit increase.

The extent of the homelessness crisis remains to be seen but it is hoped that the government will reinstate the aforementioned support to alleviate any fears of a substantial increase in homelessness.

In any event, local authorities are required to ensure that accommodation is provided for those who are, or are at risk of, being homeless. People who face homelessness are entitled to apply as homeless and make an application to any local authority subject to meeting qualifying criteria in particular to be ‘habitually resident’. However, a local authority must not refuse to accept homelessness applications. If so, they must give you a letter which explains their decision and you have 21 days to request for a review if you think their decision is wrong.

If you are, or know anyone who is, having any difficulties with homelessness or housing circumstances, then you can contact us for more information and assistance.



Author Amandeep Bains is a caseworker in the housing department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and has experience handling a wide range of social housing matters. He is supervised by housing director Manjinder Kaur Atwal.


Contact Amandeep on 020 7275 2843 or at amandeepb@duncanlewis.com

Contact Manjinder on 020 3114 1269 or at manjindera@Duncanlewis.com




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