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20
Aug 2020
Harrogate homelessness figures show need for eviction ban extension, say Lib Dems
Harrogate’s Liberal Democrats have called for an extension to an eviction ban after official figures show 53 families in the district are deemed at risk of homelessness.
According to official figures, 89 households in Harrogate are assessed as being threatened with homelessness with another 78 assessed as homeless from January to March this year.
33 of households who were homeless or threatened with homelessness cited the end of a private rented tenancy as the reason for losing their last settled home.
Read more:
- Visible return of rough sleeping in Harrogate as lockdown eases
- County council needs more funding to tackle future coronavirus costs
- North Yorkshire crime commissioner estimates £1.6m coronavirus shortfall
Meanwhile, three households in the district were also revealed to be rough sleeping between January and March.
Cllr Trevor Chapman, housing spokesperson for the local Liberal Democrats, said the government must extend the eviction ban to prevent homelessness.
He said:
Following the end of the government's "Everyone in" scheme, Harrogate Borough Council has sought to work with those in temporary accommodation to find a permanent place.
Part of the council’s plan is to get more people into Avondale Hostel, which it has just bought. It plans to renovate the building and make sure that it is only families living there.
Another key part is the council’s new hostel on Spa Lane. The construction works have been delayed and the expected completion date of October has been moved back to early next year.
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