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Charity fears rising tide of homelessness
A CHARITY has warned that homelessness could rise after it emerged three million people currently in rented accommodation were “financially vulnerable”.
National debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said new research had identified 2.9 million people in rent arrears or struggling to pay their rents.
It also emerged that Yorkshire is tied with London as the region most in need of debt advice, with 24 people per 10,000 receiving counselling.
High numbers of renters seek help from CCCS with over half of the 418,000 people who went to the charity last year living in rented accommodation. Those with a private landlord owed an average of £18,733 in unsecured debts, whereas those renting from a housing association or local authority owed £14,239 and £12,612 respectively.
The charity expects the numbers of renters seeking help to rise and is concerned many will end up homeless as a range of budget pressures such as high inflation, welfare benefit and tax changes as well as wage freezes will leave more people unable to save. It claims that renters do not benefit from low interest rates.
CCCS director Delroy Corinaldi said: “The next few years are going to be tough for many people as the economy has shown few signs of improving and those living in rented accommodation will be at the sharp end of this.
“I fear that many will end up homeless.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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