Until theres a home for everyone Kevin Garvey

Until there’s a home for everyone Kevin Garvey Policy Officer e: kevin_garvey@shelter. org. uk t: 0844 515 2044 171 September 2020

What’s happening? 2

Overview of the housing crisis § Average house prices in England Wales are now almost nine times average earnings. § The number of priority need households accepted as homeless in the last year was 40 per cent higher than five years ago § Almost 70, 000 households are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England § 1. 24 million households were on social housing waiting lists last year 3

Scale of the problem 4

How can we fix it? 5

More affordable homes § Supply is currently nowhere near meeting demand § We need more and better new homes § We need to get both the private and the public sector building in order to achieve the scale of delivery we need § Products like Starter Homes must run alongside, not instead of building more affordable homes. 6

Problems with PRS – growth in homelessness 400 375 350 337 300 296 Rent arrears 250 245 End of assured shorthold tenancy 200 186 150 134 100 Loss of other rented or tied housing 100 All other reasons 50 0 7 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Stable tenancies in the private sector § We advocate a Stable Rental Contract with a five year fixed term, and predictable rent increases § Our major annual survey of private tenants showed that a majority of renters want this § Our evidence also shows that growing numbers of landlords are willing to consider this kind of tenancy 8

Reconsideration of welfare reform § We need to re-link LHA to market rents § Homeless households in temporary accommodation should be exempted from the benefit cap § We’re awaiting the government review of legal aid changes – as well as the Labour review 9

Changes to homelessness § Improved practice from councils - Out of area placements are increasing – practice is mixed - Support for non-priority clients - Handling of intentionally homeless cases § Greater emphasis on homeless prevention - Not just funding, but culture change. Although supply is the challenge § Changes to homeless legislation - Changes in Wales are generally positive, but some concerns. 10

And what’s more… § We need a national cross-Government strategy for tackling homelessness, in addition to a strategic local approach § There must be guaranteed, regularly reviewed government funding for homelessness prevention and accommodation for homeless households § There must be access to free, independent advice to tackle housing problems 11

Shelter’s work 12

Shelter’s work § We provide support to people facing housing and homelessness issues across the country, through face-to-face services, digital advice pages, and our helpline § We campaign to strengthen the housing safety net, improve the private rented sector, and get more affordable homes built § We engage through official lines – e. g. DCLG select committee inquiry into homelessness. § Engage too with MPs, Ministers, Gov’ officials, LGA to bring about change. 13

Until there’s a home for everyone Thank you Kevin Garvey Policy Officer e: kevin_garvey@shelter. org. uk t: 0844 515 2044 17 14 September 2020