The number of people thrown out by friends and family has almost doubled since Labour came to power.

Some 51,410 people were made homeless in 2003/4 after friends and family stopped housing them, compared with 32,380 in 1996/7, the ODPM Commons select committee heard on Tuesday.

Shelter director Adam Sampson told the committee that many of these relationship breakdowns were caused by overcrowding.

He welcomed the government emphasis on family mediation “where there has been genuine breakdown”.

Sampson continued: “Where the real cause is overcrowding, to force people into mediation seems to be misplaced.”

Shelter launched a major housing campaign on Thursday focusing on overcrowding, housing inequality, rural housing problems and low demand areas. The campaign involves a panel that includes journalist Fiona Millar and hip hop star Shystie. They will take evidence from high-profile figures such as mayoral advisor Neale Coleman and MPs Karen Buck and Oona King.

The campaign, for which Housing Today will be the charity’s media partner, will run until 9 December.

Meanwhile, charity Thames Reach Bondway has called on London’s 33 boroughs to each donate 10 homes to rehouse people in homeless hostels.

Source

Housing Today