By Tony O’Riley-
The HCLG Committee has launched an inquiry into the effects of the Coronavirus on the homelessness and the private sector. The inquiry will look into various government schemes that provide support to private renters during the coronavirus crisis, including halting evictions for three months and raising the Local Housing Allowance rate.
The Committee’s inquiry comes in the face of a number of people still homeless despite huge government funding which has accommodated a vast majority of the homeless, who now have a roof over their head in various hotels across the country. Some observers claim there are councils are not helping the few who remain homeless and impose themselves on other rough sleepers who have now been housed.
Concerns have been raised that some councils are refusing to house a number of homeless people, in order to save cash. especially as a lot has been spent on housing an abundant number of rough sleepers. Sn added worry for the Committee is the concern that many tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to the Coronavirus crises, will face eviction once the lockdown is over.
Clive Betts,(pictured) chair of the HCLG Committee, said: “It is vital that those in precarious living situations are supported by the government.
“We must ensure that people without homes and those sleeping rough are protected during this health crisis.
“Equally, people cannot be forced to leave their homes at a time when finding a new place to live simply isn’t possible
“However, we must also look at what will happen a month from now and beyond. Where will those currently housed in hotels go when the Everyone In scheme expires?
“What happens in three months time when the eviction ban lapses for people who have no job and now owe three months’ rent? The Committee raises some important issues, but those who can demonstrate that their ability to pay their rent was solely caused by the pandemic and the associated lockdown , are likely to be granted more leeway, than those who were already defaulting before the lockdown.