The COVID-19 pandemic has forced local authorities and housing associations to think quickly as they come up with new solutions to house rough sleepers and those in need of temporary accommodation.
Whilst their response has, on the whole, been admirable, we are only at the tip of the iceberg of the coronavirus homelessness problem, and it is going to take a much greater effort and the action of multiple solutions, especially private landlords, to get on top of an issue that is set to snowball in 2021 and beyond.
There is little doubt that we are currently sitting on a ticking time bomb when it comes to levels of homelessness among those who twelve months ago would never have considered that they may face being homeless. Record levels of job losses across the board in all sectors and industries is potentially going to leave a cross section of society in a position where they can no longer afford their rent or mortgage.
The result could be a level of demand for public housing unlike any seen in history. Local authorities are going to be in a race to find suitable emergency accommodation and also longer term solutions so that people can be moved through the system.
Many private landlords will be looking at the levels of redundancy and worrying about their own income as they become faced with tenants who can’t afford rents. By and large, most landlords have been understanding of their tenants’ struggles since March 2020 and have allowed for flexibility where it has been needed and possible. It is unrealistic however to expect landlords to allow tenants to stay in occupation with no prospect of receiving rents in the short to medium term. This is where partnerships between those who own rental properties and the local authority housing departments can play its part.
Local authorities need to increase their supply of good quality emergency and long term housing, something that the private rental sector can provide. Landlords are seeking much needed security of income, something that local authorities can offer.
We are not really going to know the real impact of COVID-19 on homelessness in Britain until Spring 2021 onwards, but if we are going to avoid a complete catastrophe, conversations need to start now.
The National Housing Association has produced numerous reports on how housing associations have responded to COVID-19. This paper highlights some of the measures already being taken in response to homelessness in the private rented sector as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
If you are a landlord looking for increased returns and guaranteed rents in 2021 and beyond, Housing Direct can assist you in achieving this. Find out more.
