In the first quarter of 2021, there were 632 mortgage repossessions and rental evictions in the UK, meaning a household was made homeless every 3 ½ hours, said The Big Issue.

It has revealed evictions and repossessions continued throughout lockdown, and called for urgent action to prevent an ‘avalanche of homelessness this autumn’ once Covid-related support ends.

There is a potential four-pronged attack set to hit in the autumn, with an end to the Universal Credit uplift, an increase in eviction and repossessions taking place, an end to the furlough scheme and a predicted increase in the cost of electricity and gas price.

Plan of action

In response, The Big Issue has published a nine-point plan to help stop mass homelessness coupled with long-term proposals to support every household.

Measures include introducing a system of means-tested grants or interest-free-loans to repay arrears and suspending no-fault evictions until a Renters’ Reform Act can be passed.

Lord John Bird, founder and editor-in-chief at the Big Issue, said: “Millions of people in this country are behind in household bills, half a million are in rent arrears and nearly 200,000 homeowners are in financial difficulty.

“More people are at risk of homelessness now than at any time in living memory. Against a background of 1.9m jobs at risk of permanent loss from the pandemic, this should be ringing alarm bells throughout the country.

“The government was quick to support us when they put over 37,000 homeless people into accommodation in the first lockdown. We need a similar urgent approach to prevent an avalanche of homelessness this autumn.”

Alicia Kennedy, director of Generation Rent, added: “The number of private renters getting Universal Credit has doubled since the start of the pandemic, and the level of support it provides is not enough to cover the rent. That means people getting behind on rent and at risk of eviction.

“Even if their income recovers, it will be impossible to pay off all this debt while staying on top of other bills.

“The government must step in and clear this rent debt and let renters get on with their lives. Otherwise society will pay a higher price through a homelessness crisis.”