Homelessness figures: Ban no fault evictions before more families made homeless

1 May 2024

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

15% increase in children living in temporary accommodation.
10.9% increase in families threatened with homelessness thanks to no fault evictions, which the government has repeatedly promised to ban.

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government urgently to bring in a ban on no fault evictions, after the latest homelessness figures revealed that 34,220 households were threatened with homelessness between October and December last year.

The party warned that thousands more families risk being left without a home if the government continues to delay its plans to ban no-fault evictions. 5,790 households were threatened with homelessness due to a no fault eviction notice, a 10.9% increase on the previous year.

The latest figures show 112,660 families are living in temporary accommodation, a 12.1% increase, including 71,280 with children - an increase of 15%.

The government has delayed plans to delay no fault evictions in the Renters Reform Bill, after Michael Gove announced the ban will only be brought in once improvements to the courts are made.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to ensure the Renters’ Reform Bill delivers a ban on no fault evictions urgently to stop more families being made homeless through no fault of their own.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing, Helen Morgan MP said:

"Behind each one of these statistics are families now facing the unimaginable threat of being on the street through no fault of their own.

"This Conservative government's failure to protect the thousands put at risk of homelessness every year due to Section 21's is utterly shameful.

"The dither and delay must end now. Michael Gove has to find his backbone, live up to his word and ban no-fault evictions.

"Too many have had to suffer through this Conservative government's inaction already for this to go on any longer."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS: