Private renting, debt and homelessness

The loss of a private rented home has become the biggest cause of homelessness, according to new figures from Shelter.

More than 20 per cent of families and individuals accepted onto council homeless registers had applied because they had lost rented homes. This figure is up from 14% two years ago. 

Overall, the number of people accepted as homeless by councils is up 10 per cent since 2011.  Almost two thirds (64 per cent) were accepted because they were families with children. 

The loss of a private rented home has become the biggest cause of homelessness, according to new figures from Shelter.

More than 20 per cent of families and individuals accepted onto council homeless registers had applied because they had lost rented homes. This figure is up from 14% two years ago. 

Overall, the number of people accepted as homeless by councils is up 10 per cent since 2011.  Almost two thirds (64 per cent) were accepted because they were families with children. 

Shelter believes that increases in private rents along with stalled wage levels and pressure on benefits is causing the rise in the number of people and families unable to pay their rent.

For more on this story, go to http://blog.shelter.org.uk/2013/03/renters-lose-their-homes/

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