Rise in East Devon homelessness "inevitable"

Ban on evictions lifted

East Devon District Council is preparing to deal with the "inevitable second wave of homelessness" over the winter now the ban on landlords evicting tenants has ceased.

A cabinet meeting heard that during the coronavirus pandemic, the council saw a huge increase in demand for people requiring temporary accommodation, with high numbers of approaches from people fleeing domestic violence, those needing accommodation for health reasons, hospital discharges and those needing to shield. There had also been a large increase from ‘sofa-surfers’ who, because of the pandemic and restrictions on households meeting, now find it harder to find places to stay.

Andrew Mitchell, housing solutions manager, said that while actions have been taken to address the homelessness situation throughout the pandemic, economic situations including people losing jobs and income being reduced means rent and mortgage payments become unaffordable,  contributing towards evictions and loss of homes.

The cabinet agreed to increase staffing levels in the housing team and to write to MPs and the government to ask them to reinstate the ban on evictions. Mr Mitchell said that between April and September, there have been 432 homeless approaches recorded, which actually was a lower figure than for the same period last year of 555. But he said: “This figure has been reached without the usual high number of homeless approaches from people losing accommodation in the private sector. This is as a direct result of the government’s current restrictions on evictions from tenancies in the social and private sectors. Year-on-year the loss of accommodation in the private sector is a major contributor to homeless approaches to East Devon.

“We are acutely aware that this is only a temporary measure and there will be a high number of approaches from people losing accommodation in the private sector when the government restrictions on evictions are lifted.

“Despite the lower number of overall approaches during the last six months, it is noted that many cases have been of a much higher complexity than usual and the issues we have experienced in dealing with these complex cases has been compounded by the reduction in the potential solutions available to us as a direct result of the pandemic.

Cllr Mike Allen said that it was clear that the problem was going to get worse. He said: “The pain is devastating for any family being evicted and I don’t know any situation worse than losing your home and being forced onto the streets, but it is only going to get worse.”

Cllr Marianne Rixson said that she was deeply worried by the rise in demand, and added that she was appalled the ban on evictions was being lifted when heading into the winter months, while Cllr Paul Millar said they should write to MPs around to try and get the decision reversed as "lifting the ban on evictions will have an awful effect as pandemic isn’t going away."

The meeting also heard of the plight of a homeless man who has been sleeping rough in the shelter in Phear Park in Exmouth for the last two months. Speaking about him, Gillian Adamson said that she has been have been taking him sandwiches and fruit on a daily basis, while Exmouth Friends in Need have been donated clothing and shoes for him. She added: “I took these items to him and he was very grateful as he wouldn’t accept money from me.”

But she said that the council are refusing to house him and the housing team had warned her not to approach this homeless man, implying he was dangerous or violent in some way. She said: “Why is he being refused housing by EDDC? I am desperately worried about him so please can the housing department help him rather than ignore him?”

Cllr Olly Davey said that he was aware of the rough sleeper, had spoken to him, and shared the same concerns that Gillian had expressed, and Cllr Megan Armstrong, portfolio holder for sustainable homes and communities said that she understood the housing department where dealing with the case.