Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
Shelter: High Rents Trap Families in Temporary Accommodation
Shelter has claimed that high private rents are trapping families facing homelessness in temporary accommodation. The charity is calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase council housebuilding in the upcoming Autumn Budget.
According to new government statistics cited by Shelter, 135,580 households are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation. The charity also reports that 177,530 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, an increase of 5% over the past year.
Shelter states that with housing benefits remaining frozen, most families facing homelessness cannot afford high private rents. The organisation argues that the lack of affordable social homes is forcing families into temporary accommodation, which it describes as often being of poor quality.
Shelter is urging the Prime Minister to take further action to address rising homelessness and to increase the supply of genuinely affordable social homes. The charity has called for the removal of financial barriers that prevent councils from building more social rent homes.
In his first Downing Street speech, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to end rough sleeping in the UK. Initial measures include the acquisition of suitable homes for people who have slept rough for long periods, although further details on the programme have not been provided.
These developments are relevant to UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as changes in housing policy and the supply of social homes may impact the private rental sector and demand for temporary accommodation services.
Source: Property118