The recent quarterly impact report released by the UK’s nationwide charity, Threshold, discloses its success in warding off homelessness for over 1,100 households within the second quarter of the year. The primary concern reported by the charity’s patrons has been termination of tenancy, representing 40% of inquiries received.
During these three months, counsel from Threshold was provided to a whopping figure of 9,400 homes, inclusive of beyond 8,000 children and more than 12,000 adults. Compared to the previous quarter, the calls received by Threshold advisers, amounting to 11,036, fell by 9%. Within the same period, the charity prevented 1,118 households from succumbing to homelessness. This comprised of 1,515 adults and 1,160 children.
John-Mark McCafferty, the charity’s CEO, stated that private renter’s were frequently reaching out with a plethora of concerns. In many of their client calls and with their recently conducted ‘We Are Generation Rent’ survey, they’ve learned affordability is a primary issue troubling renters. Mr McCafferty emphasised the need to enhance the number of options available for renters facing difficulty in managing steep rents.
Mr McCafferty strongly advocates for a unitary housing system to generate more affordable dwellings. The housing model integrates the rental market to make social and price-capped housing more accessible for a wider array of households at varying income levels. According to the charity, such enhancements in affordable and social housing are likely to foster competition with the private rental sector, potentially making it more affordable and secure for tenants.