Stop Mass Homelessness
Help us stop mass homelessness
Right now, we are on the cliff edge of a mass homelessness crisis.
The pandemic pushed many into poverty and to the brink of homelessness.
Since then, we have seen the end of furlough, Universal Credit cut by £20 and rising energy and gas costs. People are having to make difficult choices – feed the children or pay the rent?
Sign the petition today to show your support for the Stop Mass Homelessness campaign and demand the Government takes action on three key areas.
The rent arrears crisis
We did it!
In December, the Government announced £315 million for homelessness prevention, saving an avalanche of people from the damaging experience of homelessness this winter.
This money, as well as £65 million allocated in October, will help councils to address the £360 million in rent arrears that hundreds of thousands of private renters built up during the pandemic. They will also be able to support people at risk of losing their home or being evicted.
Everyone deserves safety, security and a roof over their head. We’ll continue to hold Government to account and work with local authorities to ensure this money is used to make sure no one is made homeless as a result of the rent arrears crisis.
They have already allocated £65 million to help councils deal with the crisis – but we’re hearing from councils that this is nowhere near the long-term investment needed to keep people in their homes.
Stop unfair evictions
The Government suspended no-fault evictions during the pandemic and promised that no-one would lose their home due to Covid-19 poverty. But after the suspension was lifted, we saw cases hitting the courts at alarming rates and a failure of the Government to keep their promise.
An investigation into evictions in courts found that in a third of cases Covid-19 poverty was referenced. Despite the Government’s promise, judges were legally obliged to serve eviction notices.
These are just some of the ways that renters are being let down by the current system. We need the Government to bring forward a Renter’s Reform that works for everyone.
Invest in sustainable jobs and training
Hundreds of thousands of people were put on furlough, or lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, leading to loss of income and risk of homelessness.
We need to see investment in sustainable jobs and training, to get people back into work and to future proof the job industry. Keeping people in meaningful, paid employment will help people to afford their homes both now and in the future.
How you can help
