"Collaboration between central government, councils and housing providers to offer a more supportive approach to recovery and arrears is essential."
Responding to the latest quarterly homelessness statistics that show a rise in the number of households threatened with homelessness, Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:
“Councils work incredibly hard to prevent the tragedy of homelessness from happening, as well as supporting those who find themselves affected.
“With cost of living pressures increasing, the number of social rented tenancy households owed a prevention duty has more than doubled and councils are more often having to work with social housing tenants to help prevent them from becoming homeless. Collaboration between central government, councils and housing providers to offer a more supportive approach to recovery and arrears is essential. While progress has been made, further support and investment is need to help to sustain tenancies, particularly as cost-of-living pressures bite.
“Homelessness services also face additional pressures as Ukrainian arrivals, under the Ukraine Family Scheme continue to present as homeless due to a relationship breakdown with their host families. We support the agreement that those arriving outside the Homes for Ukraine scheme should be able to be re-matched with a sponsor and access existing funding. Urgent work is needed on how councils can work with government and the community, faith and voluntary sector so those offering their homes can be quickly matched with a family in need regardless of their route to the UK.”
“Moving forwards, it’s vital that Government acts fast to implement Renters Reform to ensure private renters have a home that is safe, stable and affordable, and to offset the increasing number of ‘no fault evictions.”