Alarming new figures from housing charity Shelter have revealed more than 13,017 renting households in the West Midlands were put at risk of losing their home in the past year –equivalent to 30,850 renters. The new analysis of statistics from the Ministry of Justice, showed that 1 in every 62 rented homes in the West Midlands were at risk of eviction. The charity also identified the ‘home threat hotspots’ across the region where renters face the greatest risk of losing their home, which comes as a result of the chronic shortage of affordable homes combined with crippling welfare cuts.
Birmingham topped the list with 1 in 47 rented homes under threat of eviction, followed by Wyre Forest (also 1 in 47), and Solihull (1 in 49).
Daniel Blake, operations manager for Shelter in the south, said: “Every day at Shelter we hear from people who are struggling to keep up with their rent, many in total desperation after the court papers land on their doormat and the threat of being evicted becomes very real.
“It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but remember you’re not alone – Shelter is here 365 days a year. So if you’re struggling to keep up, or facing eviction and not sure what to do next, get expert advice as soon as possible. It can be the difference between losing your home and keeping it. Shelter is here to help at shelter.org.uk/advice, on 0808 800 4444 or at our Birmingham advice centre.”
The volume of people facing eviction who are coming to Shelter for advice in England is getting higher and higher. In the past year alone, over 9,800 people facing eviction called the Shelter helpline for advice and over 500,000 people visited the Shelter website’s eviction advice pages.
