No Access, No Way Out
Commonweal Housing has recently published a report focussing on the impact of the lack of available move-on options in the private rented sector for people experiencing homelessness.
No Access, No Way Out captures the emotional story facing tens of thousands of people across Britain and includes interviews with Hastings BC staff. It is told through first-hand evidence of the people living and working in homeless services in the context of an ever-worsening housing crisis, and a broken system that is “entrapping them with no work, no home, and no hope.”
The report focuses on those individuals not considered to be in “priority need” under homeless legislation and are therefore limited in their entitlement to local authority housing. The private rented sector has historically been an important route out of homelessness, but this is no longer a reality due to the impact of rent increases. This creates a poverty trap resulting in people experiencing homelessness for longer as it is so difficult to afford rent when transitioning into work. This reduced availability, particularly in the lower end of the private rental market, is due to landlords who previously focused on renting to people on benefits preferring instead to rent to non-employed tenants, as they receive a guaranteed income through the tenant’s benefit payments.
For individuals seeking to move on from homelessness services, the experience of living in services for long periods with no access to ‘move-on’ private rented accommodation creates a feeling of desperation and hopelessness. In some cases, this leads to clients abandoning the services and becoming at risk of rough sleeping.
The report calls on the Labour government to ensure that the new Renters’ Rights Bill is robust enough to increase the rights of those who are accessing the cheapest end of the market including those who have experienced homelessness.
It also calls for the Bill to deliver a more secure private rented sector, a stronger approach on the enforcement on poor conditions and illegal practices, and an end to discrimination by agents and landlords when advertising for and selecting new tenants, for all renters, even those who are most disadvantaged in the market.
To shift the burden away from local authorities providing cash offers at the point of tenancy sign-ups, the report calls on the Treasury to explore new ways to incentivise landlords, such as through the tax system.
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