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Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research

 
Evictions reach a record high -  new report for JRF published

The number of tenants evicted from their properties reached a record high, according to a new report highlighting the misery and insecurity faced by renters struggling on low incomes.

According to recent research carried out by CCHPR for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the growing gap between rents and support for housing costs is a key factor behind the rise in private rented sector evictions.

The research included in depth interviews with tenants on low incomes and identified the high levels of stress and disruption caused by insecure housing.

'With the £50 a month [housing benefit shortfall] coming out of the JSA - that's almost a week's money in itself - and then you've got the other bills...I just couldn't make it work. I had to choose... do I pay the rent... electricity... buy some food?'

Changes in welfare benefits have not kept up with rising rents, causing misery for tenants as they cope with inevitable financial pressures. Furthermore, the rising number of 'no fault' (Section 21) evictions gives rise to insecurity as tenants on low incomes face a complete lack of options when they lose their home.

The full report 'Poverty, evictions and forced moves' can be downloaded here