Everyone is worried about the rising cost of living, but private renters are under particular pressure as rents rise at record levels. Housing benefit has stayed at the same amount since March 2020, so there’s a growing gap between real rents and what people on low incomes can afford to pay. We’re seeing people get evicted because their landlords are raising the rent beyond what they could afford, but when they look for another home, there’s nothing left that’s affordable. Our research with @Zoopla shows that the homes available to people on housing benefit has fallen by a third in just five months. For too many people, that means homelessness lies ahead, but it doesn’t have to be that way. During the pandemic, the Government helped prevent and end homelessness for lots of people, and they can do it again. Tomorrow, the Chancellor will announce how he will tackle the cost of living crisis, and that could make all the difference for people at risk of homelessness. If he invests in housing benefit, more families would be able to afford to stay in their homes, and would be able to manage the financial pressures of the coming months on stable foundations. #Homeless #Homelessness #EndHomelessness #Charity #Crisis #Westminster #Parliament #JeremyHunt #Budget #AutumnStatement #economy #finance #inflation #ukgovernment #chancellor #ukeconomy