Even though mortgage interest rates remain at their lowest for years, more and more people in Salford are being taken to court to be evicted from their homes for payment arrears - which, states a new report by Shelter, will lead to a homelessness crisis in Salford.
The Shelter report notes that over 1400 households were taken to court last year for eviction from their homes, an 8% increase on the previous year, making Salford the third worst place in the North West, 31st worst in England and amongst the 10% worst areas in the country.
Meanwhile, a Salford City Council report states that by September last year it "had received notification of 208 potential possession notices. This is an increase of 61% at the same point in 2010".
Both Salford Citizen's Advice Bureaux and Salford City Council have supported households that have got into eviction difficulties but the Bureaux predicts that the homelessness problem is going to get worse.
Changes to housing benefit rules about to be introduced will reduce the amount of benefit for people under 35 years of age, increase costs of lodgers, and limit the numbers of spare rooms.
"This is a housing crisis ticking time bomb" explains Salford Citizens Advice's Chief Officer, Tom Togher "We are concerned that these benefit reductions will make an already bad situation even worse."
Currently, out of every 1000 homes in the city, over 13 have a re-possession claim slapped on them. Shelter estimates that every eviction costs between £6,000 and £9,000 per case, or up to £12million for Salford.
Anyone getting into housing arrears difficulties can get help from Salford Citizens Advice's housing team on 0161 793 7839.
See Shelter's interactive map showing Salford possession claims – click here
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