Could rising house prices lead to more homelessness in Dorset?
Landlords and letting agencies in Dorset are being asked to take on more homeless people
Last updated 9th Jul 2021
Rising house prices and a reluctance of some landlords could affect Dorset’s emerging homelessness and rough sleeping strategy.
Dorset councillors have been told that a shortage in affordable property may coincide with a spike in people being turfed out of their rented homes when they lose the protection of legislation which had been in place during the pandemic.
The council’s people and health overview committee heard that although it was too early to predict with any certainty what level of increase might be expected a rise in homelessness inquiries was already beginning as re-possession cases started to get underway in the courts.
Councillors were told that efforts were already being made to persuade landlords and letting agencies to take on people who are made homeless.
Cllr Rebecca Knox called on the council and its partners to look at other methods of finding more homes. She said that every councillor probably knew of homes in their area where minor repairs or improvements could be offered to keep people living there.
“It could be an opportunity for our own Home Force activity helped by community organisations or micro businesses,” she said.
Committee chairman Cllr Andrew Kerby said he would like to see new homes being built capable of adaptation in the future and more accessible – with ramps rather than steps which could help people stay in their own homes for longer, as their needs change.
The county’s new homeless and rough sleeper strategy is designed to be in place until 2026 to comply with Government legislation.
Research into homelessness has concluded that for families the causes are likely to be domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, financial issues, poverty and lack of suitable housing.
For single household the main causes are relationship breakdown, mental health and substance misuse.
Said housing brief holder Cllr Graham Carr-Jones in a foreword to the report:
“By focussing our efforts we hope to be able provide better support for vulnerable families and communities where homelessness exists: Improve the help for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness: Take action against any of the reasons that cause homelessness… This strategy provides a single plan for all the agencies across Dorset including the council and will help to concentrate our efforts for tackling and preventing homelessness over a short-medium term for all people who are at risk of homelessness.”