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A new partnership being launched today will explore and develop ideas for how the private rented sector can contribute to ending homelessness.
That will be the focus of a three-year project between the homelessness charity, Crisis, and TDS Group, the tenancy deposit and dispute resolution service provider.
It comes amidst an ongoing homelessness crisis as official figures show that across England:
Between January and March this year 86,520 households approached their local council for homelessness assistance and were deemed eligible for support, the highest since 2018 when the Homelessness Reduction Act was introduced.
Some 117,450 households were in temporary accommodation as of 31st March, up 12% from the same time last year. Of these, 17,750 were living in bed and breakfast accommodation, an increase of 30% year-on-year.
Amidst a shortage of homes for social rent, the 2011 Localism Act gave councils the power to discharge their housing duty to homeless applicants by offering private rented accommodation. However, according to last year’s annual homelessness monitor, published by Crisis, 97% of councils said that it had become more difficult to source private rentals for households experiencing or at risk of homelessness over the previous year.
Recent research by the TDS Charitable Foundation, a charity funded by TDS Group which works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector, suggests that almost half – 46% – of private landlords feel unable to provide homes to tenants housed via a local authority.
The partnership will include:
· TDS Group funding to support specialist staff at six Crisis Skylight centres across the country to work with landlords and those facing homelessness to improve access to rental housing and sustain tenancies.
· Helping people experiencing homelessness with the costs of setting up a home in the private rented sector. This will include TDS providing money to help with deposits, fund new furniture and to help with the cost of travel to view properties.
· Undertaking research and developing evidence to inform policy makers on the best way to support those who are, or are at risk of homelessness, to access the private rented sector.
Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy and research at TDS Group said: “The government has rightly committed to developing a cross-government strategy to end homelessness for good. For all the challenges it faces, the private rented sector can play an important and positive role in helping to achieve this mission.
“Working with Crisis, landlords and those who face homelessness we will build the evidence needed to demonstrate how best to improve access to stable, secure and decent rented housing for those most in need.”
Francesca Albanese, executive director of policy and social change at Crisis, added: “High deposits and up-front rent payments, mean the private rented sector is almost inaccessible for people facing homelessness. Plus, unaffordable rents, a lack of social housing and high living costs are making it increasingly challenging for many low-income households to find and keep a stable home.
“Securing new ways to access private rental properties for our members is invaluable and why we’re so pleased to be partnering with the TDS Group to begin this unique initiative. We look forward to working with them to open more doors into secure rental properties and ultimately, helping more people out of homelessness for good.”
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