Agent calls for more landlords to help tackle homeless family crisis

Of the latest total, £1.9 billion went on nightly-paid accommodation, hostels and B&Bs, while 135,580 households were living in temporary accommodation at the end of March.

Southampton-based SDM Property already works with councils and private landlords to find settled homes for people who are homeless or living in emergency or temporary accommodation. 

The residential letting agency is now expanding the model, taking on around 10 units in Bournemouth in recent weeks and another three in Portsmouth. 

Director Mark Vine says: "We're a business and this has to work for the landlord as well as the tenant. But we've discovered that an agent can use its relationships with landlords and councils to solve some very real problems in its community. 

"This isn't a migrant accommodation scheme, which is a different area requiring a specialist approach. This is a pragmatic local solution for people in our communities who are homeless or living in emergency or temporary accommodation. 

"We're talking about families living in hotels because they can't find an affordable rental property, or somebody suddenly facing homelessness because their landlord needs to sell." 

Over the past 12 months alone, SDM says it has secured 532 tenancies for single people and families who were homeless or living in emergency or temporary accommodation. 

Its approach has received backing from East Hampshire District Council. 

James Kirkham, Outreach Officer with the council's Housing Team, says: "Working with SDM Property has enabled us to house some of our clients, especially the under-35s, who find it particularly difficult sourcing affordable accommodation due to the Local Housing Allowance being lower than market rental prices. 

"We have developed an open, honest working relationship. Full background checks and rental history are provided by the council for potential tenants, so we can make sure every tenant is tenancy ready." 

One recent case demonstrates how the relationship can prevent homelessness before it happens. 

New Forest District Council approached SDM after a young family was served notice because the owner of their two-bedroom flat wanted to sell. 

SDM found an investor prepared to buy the property with the family remaining as tenants. A price was agreed within around two weeks and SDM now manages the tenancy. 

Vine says: "The landlord wanted to sell, the tenants wanted to stay, the council wanted to prevent them becoming homeless and another landlord wanted an investment. We brought those interests together and the family kept its home. 

"Behind that £2.9 billion bill are thousands of people who don't have a permanent place to call home. Temporary accommodation is necessary when somebody has nowhere else to go, but it shouldn't become their home for months or years." 

SDM now wants to hear from landlords in Southampton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and surrounding areas who have suitable properties and might previously have ruled out letting to households receiving benefits.

Vine adds: "The PRS can't solve homelessness on its own. But there are good landlords with homes and local families who desperately need them. 

"If agents and councils can bring more of those people together, everybody benefits – including the taxpayer."