1,300 veterans at risk of homelessness from no-fault eviction since Tory ban vow

14 March 2024 , 22:30

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Some 1,300 veterans have been put at risk of homelessness by no fault evictions since 2019 (Image: Getty Images)

More than 1,300 veterans have been put at risk of homelessness since 2019 after the Tories failed to keep their promise to ban no-fault evictions.

Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show the number of ex-forces personnel on the brink of losing their homes through Section 21 eviction notices has soared since 2019. In 2019, 222 veterans were put at risk of homelessness due to a Section 21 but rising to 350 last year, a 57% increase. The total hit 1,333 over this Parliament.

One of the worst performing areas was Plymouth where 48 veterans were in danger of losing their homes since 2019. Part of the area is in Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer's constituency. Mr Mercer, a former Army officer, vowed to end veterans homelessness last year with a scheme called Operation Fortitude to help veterans find accommodation.

The number of former military personnel at risk of homelessness more generally rose from 1,655 in 2018 to 2,354 last year. Liberal Democrat Housing spokeswoman Helen Morgan, who obtained the figures, said: "No one should be forced into the position where they could be made homeless through no fault of their own and face all the stresses and anxieties that come with that.

"It is an utter disgrace that thousands of veterans, who have given so much to this country, have been put in that situation and Rishi Sunak should hang his head in shame. This is set to be another broken Conservative party promise that is forcing unnecessary hardship onto people who have put their lives on the line for this country."

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In a speech to the party’s Spring Conference tomorrow, she will urge the Tories to keep their promise from 2019 and bring forward the Section 21 ban. The Conservatives promised to outlaw no-fault evictions in their last election manifesto - preventing landlords from kicking out tenants without good reason.

But the ban has been repeatedly delayed amid disquiet from Tory MPs, many of whom are landlords. Housing Secretary Michael Gove insisted last month it would be enacted before the election but the legislation has not yet come back to Parliament.

Yesterday, Labour's Lucy Powell said the Renter's Reform Bill was "being held to ransom" and accused the Government of failing to "stand up to landlords on their own side and end no-fault evictions".

A Government Spokesperson said: "We are immensely grateful to all our veterans for their service in defence of our nation. This Government is committed to ending rough sleeping. That’s why we have provided up to £8 million to fund Op FORTITUDE, which supports veterans at risk of homelessness through hundreds of supported housing places and wrap-around specialist care in health, housing and employment.

“Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will also deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords, including abolishing section 21 evictions to give people more security in their homes.”

Lizzy Buchan