Over 350 SW renters a week at risk of losing homes

Research by the housing and homelessness charity Shelter has revealed that approximately 19,000 renters were put at risk of eviction in the last year - equivalent to  over 350 renters per week.

The shocking new analysis, which uses Ministry of Justice figures, showed that 1 in every 86 rented households in the South 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.

Weymouth and Portland topped the list with as many as 1 in every 48 rented homes at risk of eviction, followed by Gloucester (1 in 51) and Torbay (1 in 64).

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 as many as 3,800 renters in the South West have already lost the fight to stay in their home, and been evicted by county court bailiffs in the last year.

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 2,100 children in the South 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 five year old son lived in the same house for five 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 www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70060 to donate £3.