Posted 13.01.21
Local Government Association (LGA): Further reading
Around 450 primary schools' worth of homeless children are spending lockdown in temporary accommodation amid a chronic shortage of affordable housing, the Local Government Association warns.
Latest figures for England show there are 127,240 children living in temporary accommodation, including 1,440 households with children in bed and breakfasts.
The LGA said the number of children having to spend the latest national lockdown in temporary accommodation reinforces the urgent need for the Government to ensure building of more affordable homes to rent, which is central to a recovery from the pandemic.
The LGA has set out a six-point plan of action the Government can immediately take, including:
The LGA is also calling increases in social housing, with 100,000 new social homes for rent to be delivered every year.
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Posted 08.01.21
GOV.UK: Further reading
Extra support to help protect rough sleepers and renters from the effects of COVID-19 has been announced by the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Backed by an additional £10 million in funding, all councils in England are being asked to redouble their efforts to help accommodate all those currently sleeping rough and ensure they are swiftly registered with a GP.
This aims to protect them from the virus and facilitate contacting them to receive vaccinations in line with the priority groups outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Councils will also be asked to reach out again to those who have previously refused help, given rising infection rates and the colder winter months.
Renters will continue to be supported during the new national restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions for all but the most egregious cases for at least 6 weeks - until at least 21 February - with measures kept under review.
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Updated 09.01.21
The Observer: 70,000 households in UK made homeless during pandemic
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