A council is looking to work with more private landlords to help reduce homelessness.

Over the past few years Shropshire council has seen an increase in households seeking housing assistance, and now wants private landlords to make contact if they think they could offer a tenancy to those in need.

The council blames the cost-of-living crisis and, more recently, Ukrainian host placements ending for the shortage of housing – but it doesn’t mention policies that have disincentivised landlords to stay in the sector.

The council says the consequences of not providing suitable accommodation for homeless single people would mean individuals remaining in wholly unsuitable provision such as B&B type accommodation. 

In Shropshire the number of homeless people in B&B can fluctuate day to day. Currently, the council has around 100 people in B&B at a collective cost of £6,125 per night, so 100 individuals would cost the council approximately £190,000 per month, or £2.3 million per annum.

The council claims it is keen to avoid the need to use temporary accommodation as much as possible, and wants to discuss options for more settled accommodation with private sector landlords.

Landlords will be offered cash incentives and extensive support for them and their tenants, in exchange for letting to residents who are at risk of homelessness or who are ready to move on from homelessness services and live independently.

Support includes:-

– financial help to pay towards deposits and rent in advance, which is paid to landlords directly;

– tenants support and advice to help ensure that tenancies are sustainable;

– providing specialist advice on tenancy matters and changes in the law;

– help to resolve disputes if they arise;

– providing a named point of contact from the start.

A council spokesperson says: “Facing homelessness is a worrying experience for anyone, so we’re appealing to private sector landlords so we can continue to offer vital housing support to those most vulnerable.

“We can offer support for landlords to help house households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Currently, all types of accommodation are needed.

“You could be an experienced landlord with a portfolio of properties and just looking for tenants, in which case, we can offer a tenant matching service where we will interview and assess all tenants before they approach you. Or you may be a first-time landlord, and benefit from extra support our team can give with setting up the tenancy and handling all the paperwork.

“If you are unsure if your property will be suitable, please contact us to discuss; and if you are a landlord who uses a letting agent and would like to help, please let us know and our team can speak to the agent directly.

“Homelessness can affect anyone. We work with people who have been in the military, worked in trades and many other occupations, have been evicted from their home through no fault of their own, or in some cases are fleeing from domestic abuse. 

“While not every person we engage with accepts our support, the vast majority do, and we continue to work with a wide range of partners to help prevent people becoming homeless, and to support those who do to find their way back into accommodation and work.

“I’d encourage anyone who has a suitable and affordable vacant property who would be interested, to get in touch and speak to the team.”