Sample Press Release - Coronavirus Evictions

For immediate release: [COUNCIL] calls on the Government to protect renters at risk of homelessness due to Covid-19

[COUNCIL] has passed a motion calling on the Government to take urgent steps to protect renters in [TOWN/CITY] and across the country from eviction and homelessness due to covid-19.

Rent arrears have tripled since the onset of coronavirus. An estimated half a million households are in debt to their landlord, and this number is likely to increase as the furlough scheme is wound down in Autumn and further job losses are announced.  [COUNCIL]– like many other councils across the country – is concerned that when the evictions ban ends, homelessness services will see a rise in cases as a result.

Without financial support, thousands more renters will face homelessness. In March, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick pledged that no renter would lose their home as a result of coronavirus, but evictions are due to restart on August 24th, and the Government is just days away from breaking its promise to renters.

The governments in Scotland and Wales have recognised that, with the virus undefeated and the economic outlook uncertain, renters need additional protection from eviction to help them stay safely in their homes. But the UK Government is continuing with evictions as normal.

The motion means the Council will campaign for the Government to bring forward temporary legislation to scrap Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, known as ‘no fault’ evictions, and suspend Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, for rent arrears built up due to the economic shock of Covid-19.

The motion, which passed on [DATE} also commits the council to support Generation Rent’s No Home At Risk campaign, and work with them and to deliver more affordable, secure and safer homes in the private rented sector.

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