Secure, good quality housing is essential in preventing the spread of coronavirus, and no one should face homelessness in the midst of a public health crisis. Today the London Housing Panel asks the Government to prioritise five actions to protect vulnerable Londoners.
We recognise the very welcome steps the Government has taken to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through reforming Universal Credit, and the importance of these in preventing a much worse situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, we are extremely concerned that without further action from the Government, we will face a tsunami of evictions and homelessness from 24 June, once the moratorium on evictions comes to an end.
We urge the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to ensure that no one is made homeless during the pandemic, and those that are homeless receive suitable accommodation.
The London Housing Panel will be monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on Londoners. Documents related to the London Housing Panel, including the latest minutes, can be found here.