The Discretionary Housing Payment Budget

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Climate Change – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 14 July 2021.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 2:10, 14 July 2021

Just continuing the theme of evictions, in Mid and West Wales, there were 77,000 social housing tenancies in arrears in March 2019, and, as we know, the pressure of lost income and loss of employment has likely pushed many more into rent arrears. You'll be aware, Minister, that the evictions ban introduced in December 2020 came to an end, although I do welcome the fact that landlords still have to give tenants six months' notice before evicting tenants. But Shelter Cymru have warned that huge numbers of people could be pushed into homelessness as a result, saying that the evictions ban has actually saved lives. Could I just ask what action the Government is taking to prevent evictions from social housing as a result of COVID-related rent arrears? Thank you. Diolch.