Housing campaign group Generation Rent has claimed that Black households have been disproportionately affected by Section 21 evictions, with eviction-related homelessness occurring at significantly higher rates than among white households.
The organisation argues that racial inequality within the private rented sector continues to leave many ethnic minority renters at greater risk of housing insecurity.
Higher Risk of Homelessness
According to Generation Rent, Black households were around twice as likely to become homeless following a Section 21 eviction compared with white households.
The group also says Black households are 13 times more likely to be living in temporary accommodation, highlighting what it believes are wider inequalities within the housing system.
Its analysis found that Black renters accounted for around 5,000 cases of homelessness linked to Section 21 notices over a two-year period. Based on their share of England’s private rented population, Generation Rent argues this figure is roughly double what would have been expected.
The campaign group says these findings point to ongoing racial disparities across the private rented sector.
Claims of Ongoing Discrimination
Generation Rent also referenced previous research suggesting that almost half of renters from minority ethnic backgrounds have experienced discrimination from either a landlord or a letting agent.
The organisation also highlighted findings from research involving the SpareRoom platform, which indicated that white applicants were more likely to receive positive responses to rental enquiries and viewing requests than Black applicants.
Calls for Further Housing Reform
Alongside its findings, Generation Rent has renewed calls for the Government, led by the newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, to introduce further reforms aimed at improving housing affordability and reducing inequality.
Among its proposals are:
- Increasing Local Housing Allowance each year to reflect current market rents.
- Introducing rent controls that limit annual rent increases to either wage growth or Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, whichever is lower.
- Expanding the supply of social housing beyond the existing target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
- Scrapping Right to Rent checks, which the group says contribute to discriminatory practices.
- Requiring landlords selling a property to provide tenants with two months of rent-free accommodation to help cover moving costs.
Generation Rent believes these measures would help improve access to secure and affordable housing while addressing inequalities experienced by ethnic minority renters.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property