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Every 12 minutes a
renter in the North West is put at risk of losing their home
RESEARCH by the housing and
homelessness charity Shelter has revealed that approximately 42,600 renters
were put at risk of eviction in the last year (2015)... That is the equivalent to 1 renter every
12 minutes.
The shocking new analysis, which uses Ministry of Justice figures, showed
that 1 in every 53 rented households in the North West have been put at risk
of losing their home.
The charity also identified the hotspots in the region where renters are
most likely to face losing their home.
Halton topped the list with as many as 1 in every 33 rented homes at risk of
eviction, followed by Rochdale (1 in 36) and Bolton (1 in 37).
The charity is warning that a worrying combination of rapidly rising rents,
drastic cuts to housing benefit and the chronic lack of genuinely affordable
homes will leave thousands of families battling to keep a roof over their
heads this Christmas.
Worryingly, the figures also show that approximately 10,700 renters in the
North West have already lost the fight to stay in their home, and been
evicted by county court bailiffs in the last year (2015).
To make sure they can continue to be there so that no family has to face the
trauma of losing their home on their own, Shelter is urgently calling on the
public to help by donating to its emergency appeal.
Alison Mohammed, Shelter's Director of Services, said:- "It's shocking
to think that each and every week, hundreds of people in the region receive
a notice through the door with the devastating news that they might lose
their home. We speak to parents every day who are desperately trying
to keep a roof over their children's heads, but with rents soaring and
housing support being slashed, many are finding themselves at breaking
point. Already, over 1,100 children in the North West will wake up homeless
and in temporary accommodation this Christmas, and tragically the situation
looks set to get worse. Our advisers will be working non-stop over the
festive period to support families at risk of losing their home; but sadly
our helpline is receiving a huge number of calls and our services are
straining under the demand. We desperately need more support from the public
to help us be there for these families and make sure no one has to fight
homelessness on their own this Christmas."
Shelter's helpline is open all year round, including Christmas day, and is
staffed by a dedicated team of expert advisers offering free advice and
support to anyone who needs it.
Case study: Angela and her 5 year old son lived in the same house for 5
years, but when Angela's landlord raised the rent she was unable to keep up
and fell into arrears. They were evicted by bailiffs in November, and have
been sleeping on a friend's sofa ever since. "Now that
we're homeless, I just don't know where we're going to end up, it's really
scary. My son was born in that house, he learned to walk and talk there; we
had friends and a garden and a stable home, and now it has all gone. I've
tried to explain our situation the best way I can to my son and I'm trying
to stay positive for him, but it's so hard. What is keeping me going now, is
having Shelter by side. It's a huge comfort to know that I don't have to go
through this on my own anymore. I'm so grateful for everything they are
doing for me and I hope that with their support and a bit of help from the
council that maybe by next Christmas, my son and I will have a place to call
home again."
To support Shelter's Christmas appeal please visit:-
Shelter.Org.UK
or text:- 'SHELTER' to:- 70060 to donate £3.
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