Stephen has co-signed a cross-party letter to the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick. The letter urges him to ban "reckless" evictions of people with long term rent arrears as a result of the pandemic.
The MPs called for "urgent" action to prevent a new surge in homelessness in the coming weeks. They estimate that thousands of renters with six months of debts risk ending up on the streets.
Half a million private tenants in the UK are behind with their rent, according to research by Citizens Advice. The average amount owed is more than £700, the charity says, and one-in-four private renters in arrears have been threatened with eviction or cancellation of contract by their landlord.
The group points out that the Housing Secretary watered down protections by no longer excluding debts accrued since the coronavirus crisis began, when he extended the current eviction ban in February.
Speaking about the letter Stephen said “I am pleased that a number of MPs from across the House of Commons have recognised these concerns. We are calling on the government to amend the Housing Act to ensure the protection of renters who have lost income during the pandemic.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on renters across the country, many who face an immediate and direct risk of homelessness. The government need to take urgent action to protect tenants so that they can feel safe in their homes.”
You can read the group’s letter here.