Hundreds threatened with homelessness during pandemic
Hundreds of households in the Black Country and Staffordshire were assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness during winter, figures show.
Nationally, the number of people identified as homeless has risen slightly – as Shelter says there is a clear danger of the problem worsening further when pandemic measures are lifted.
But a national decrease in the threat of homelessness came as the Government and local authorities sought to ensure as many people as possible had roofs over their heads during the coronavirus pandemic.
Between October and December last year, 353 families or individuals in Dudley were identified as homeless by the council, down from 359 the year before, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) figures show. A further 21 households were eligible for council help as they were at risk of homelessness in winter 2020 – down from 54 in 2019.
While in Wolverhampton during the same period, 321 were identified as homeless by the council, down from 384 the previous year. A further 149 households were eligible for council help in winter 2020 – down from 213 in 2019.
During the same time, 103 families or individuals in Walsall were identified as homeless, down from 119 the year before. A further 73 households were eligible for council help as they were at risk of homelessness in winter 2020 – down from 95 in 2019.
In Sandwell, there were 80 families or individuals identified as homeless between October and December, down from 97 the previous year. A further 156 households were eligible for council help – down from 164 in 2019.
Over in Stafford, 43 were identified as homeless by the council, up from 38 the year before the figures show. A further four households were eligible for council as they were at risk of homelessness during the winter – down from 12 in 2019.
And in Cannock Chase, 14 were identified as homeless by the council, down from 42 the previous year. A further 20 households were eligible for council help as they were at risk of homelessness in winter 2020 – up from 13 in 2019.
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Will Conaghan, spokesperson for Stafford Borough Council, said: “Over the last 12 months we have worked with partners to prevent more than 1,200 people becoming homeless. The key to being able to help those who are at risk of losing their home is speaking with us as soon as possible.
"Measures introduced during the pandemic, such as the temporary ban on evictions, have changed the situation regarding the threat of homelessness. But we would urge people to not bury their head in the sand and contact us at the earliest opportunity to ensure we can provide as many options as possible to prevent someone becoming homeless.”
A Walsall Council spokesman said: "No person should have to be homeless, and in Walsall we take a proactive approach in preventing homelessness and relieving homelessness. We offer a comprehensive housing advice and homelessness service which centers on engaging with individuals as early as possible, raising awareness and working closely with our partner agencies.
“We have been able to maintain and adapt our homelessness response throughout the Covid-19 crisis, through comprehensive support offered in partnership with our local housing associations and the private rented sector to continue to house the most vulnerable in the borough.
"We work hard to accommodate all rough sleepers where possible with referrals through to our successful Housing First scheme where appropriate, and our outreach team is out in the community every day supporting those who need help.”
Wolverhampton Council's director for city environment, Ross Cook, said: “A great deal of work has been done as a city to reduce homelessness and support households at risk of losing their homes in Wolverhampton.
“In Wolverhampton, 397 people, homeless or at risk of being homeless, have been supported over the past year. More than 100 of those identified under Everyone In moved into long-term safe accommodation and wider support. The experience will now lead the way for a new model of working within the city, informed by this unique approach of wrap-around services and support.
“As the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions start to lift the council and city partners will be undertaking further work to provide advice, assistance and accommodation to those at risk of eviction.”
Head of housing and partnerships at Cannock Chase Council, Nirmal Samrai, said: "The past 12 months have been a particularly busy time for the team. There was added requirement on the Local Authority with the Everyone In initiative. The team worked well to ensure that everyone was brought into accommodation and that everyone was supported during this time. We brought 19 persons into accommodation under this initiative
"This enabled engagement with those whom under normal circumstances would not approach the local authority and would not have engaged with professional services. With a collaborative approach we successfully supported and assisted 14 persons into more longer term accommodation."
Karl Robinson, Sandwell Council's business manager housing solutions, said: “The advice is that the sooner people contact us for help, the more chance we have of helping them stay in their current home or to ensure we help them find suitable accommodation.
“We can help with all sorts of issues so don’t be afraid or embarrassed to call us.
“We know that people may be facing financial difficulties because of Covid-19. We can help you if you are in rent arrears, help you to manage your money and will work with you to develop a personal housing plan.
“We’ve helped nearly 4,000 people in the last 12 months, and we’ve been able to help 70 per cent of these keep their current home.”
An MHCLG spokesman said the figures showed their actions had helped to protect renters, rough sleepers and other vulnerable people from the impact of the pandemic.
He added: “Renters continue to be protected, including through six-month notice periods and a ban on the enforcement of evictions, except in the most serious circumstances.
“But there is more still to do, and we will continue to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping with over £750 million funding this year alone.”
