It aims to stop rising cases of homelessness
A new partnership launched today aims to explore and develop ways the private rented sector can contribute to ending homelessness in the UK.
The three-year initiative is a collaboration between the homelessness charity Crisis and TDS Group, a tenancy deposit and dispute resolution service provider in the UK.
The partnership comes as homelessness continues to rise. Between January and March this year, 86,520 households in England approached their local councils for homelessness assistance and were deemed eligible for support, marking the highest number since the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act in 2018. At the end of the year’s first quarter, 117,450 households were reported to be living in temporary accommodation, a 12% increase from the same period last year. Of these, 17,750 were in bed and breakfast accommodations, up 30% from last year.
With a shortage of homes for social rent, the 2011 Localism Act granted councils the power to offer private rented accommodation to homeless applicants. However, a Crisis report from last year highlighted that 97% of councils found it increasingly difficult to secure private rentals for those at risk of homelessness.
Research by the TDS Charitable Foundation, a charity funded by TDS Group, indicates that 46% of private landlords feel unable to provide housing to tenants referred by local authorities.
As part of the partnership, TDS Group will fund specialist staff at six Crisis Skylight centres across the UK to work with landlords and those facing homelessness, improving access to rental housing and helping sustain tenancies.
Financial support will also be provided to help people experiencing homelessness with the costs of setting up a home in the private rented sector. This includes assistance with deposits, new furniture, and travel costs for viewing properties. In addition, research will be conducted to develop evidence that can inform policymakers on how best to support individuals at risk of homelessness in accessing the private rented sector.
Jennifer Harris (pictured right), head of policy and research at TDS Group, highlighted the potential role of the private rented sector in addressing homelessness.
“The government has rightly committed to developing a cross-government strategy to end homelessness for good,” she said. “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 (pictured left), executive director of policy and social change at Crisis, emphasized the barriers that people facing homelessness encounter in the private rental market.
“High deposits and upfront rent payments, mean the private rented sector is almost inaccessible for people facing homelessness,” Albanese said. “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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