At the start of the coronavirus crisis, the Government introduced a ban on tenant evictions which was due to come to an end this coming Monday 24th August. Yesterday the Government extended the ban for four weeks, with new six month notice periods to be in place until at least 31st March 2021, while stating that the judiciary will "carefully prioritise the most serious cases including those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse"...
However, far from holding off from planned demonstrations, activists and social justice campaigners are protesting today and Monday 24th August.
Today, ACORN community union is holding socially-distanced rallies and banner drops at key locations, including courts where eviction proceedings will be heard. It is calling for 'serious reform to renting to prevent a wave of homelessness', while stating its intention to 'resist evictions and defend communities' when the COVID eviction freeze comes to an end on the 20th September if laws do not change.
When the ban on evictions ends, there will be no real legal protection in place for renters who have lost their jobs or seen their income reduced. Shelter estimated in early August that there are 450,000 people nationally at risk of losing their home as landlords seek possession because of rent arrears. That is 20,000 renters across Greater Manchester at risk of losing their homes.
"We cannot and should not rely on the goodwill of landlords to ensure people's right to safe and secure housing" says ACORN member, Amy Clarke "As we have already seen, some are more than willing to turf out people during this public health crisis, even illegally. The Government has so far failed to act to protect renters and if it is to avert a homelessness crisis it must act immediately. If it doesn't, then we will.
"Just as we mobilised thousands to support people with food and prescription deliveries during lockdown, we will mobilise our members and supporters and use our tried and tested tactics of eviction resistance to defend our members and our communities" she adds "The action we have taken today is our statement of intent, we're sending a message to the Government and to any landlords looking to make such immoral moves: we will not stand by as people are evicted and forced into homelessness."*
ACORN is calling on Housing Minister Robert Jenrick to legislate against section 21 'no-fault' evictions and against using section 8 evictions on people who have fallen into arrears during the COVID-19 crisis.
"As if we weren't facing enough jeopardy this year, with the risk of losing our jobs and livelihoods due to COVID-19, a wrongfully served Section 21 'no fault' eviction got handed to us by our letting agent" says Manchester ACORN member Toby Bower "I was told I had just five days before I was evicted.
"The existence of these 'no fault' evictions allows landlords and letting agents to potentially ruin people's living by forcing them out of the safety of their home" he adds "When the furlough scheme ends, there will be a giant wave of evictions and homelessness will undoubtedly skyrocket. I have suffered a serious lack of sleep and constant stress as a result of having to fight this eviction, against a remorseless company with no interests in mind other than their own profits."
After today's action, on Monday 24th August at 1pm there will be a demonstration outside Manchester and Salford Civil Justice Centre called by Greater Manchester Law Centre, Greater Manchester Housing Action, ACORN and the Tenants Union, supported by Salford TUC.
"The extension in the ban against evictions is a welcome victory for housing and tenants' rights campaigners but it is not enough" says a spokesperson "The Government has simply postponed things for 28 days. The Welsh and Scottish Governments have extended the stay by six months."
Demands include an extension to the eviction ban until the pandemic ends, increasing housing benefit payments to meet the true cost of rent (increase the Local Housing Allowance to at least 50% of market rent), and the provision of financial support to clear COVID arrears, as well as the abolition of section 21 'no-fault' evictions and the use of section 8 evictions against people who have fallen into arrears during the COVID-19 crisis.
GMCA Leaders have also written to the Government stating that they fear "homelessness could return to the streets of Greater Manchester on a scale not seen since the 1930s" if rapid and decisive action is not taken to avert a crisis.
The letter adds: "We urge you to make accommodations for the needs and requirements not only of Greater Manchester, but of districts in a similar position to ourselves - and we ask as a matter of great urgency to consider extending the evictions ban further until provisions have been put in place."
No COVID Evictions! Day of Action
Monday 24th August 1pm
Manchester and Salford Civil Justice Centre
1 Bridge Street West M60 9DJ
* For details of ACORN's Community Protection Training sessions in eviction resistance and to join its Community Protection Teams see here https://acorntheunion.org.uk/community-protection
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