Green councillors learn ban on evictions will only last until 23rd August
Green councillors are calling on Lambeth Council to urgently extend the period of “no evictions” policy and continue to protect those experiencing loss of income due to Covid-19.
This follows the response to a question posed by Green Party Councillor Becca Thackray last week, informing that the Council’s ban on evictions only lasts until 23rd of August. (1)
The new deadline appears to contradict the commitment made earlier this year by Councillorr Jack Hopkins, leader of Lambeth Council, who told residents that, “No evictions will be pursued by the council during the pandemic”. (2)
Green Party Councillor Jonathan Bartley, who co-leads the Green Group on Lambeth Council, said: “Lambeth Council committed to protect its residents from eviction during the whole pandemic, but now we know the eviction ban didn’t even extend to the end of August.
“This will cause significant distress for those now threatened with the possibility of eviction. The pandemic is not over, let alone its economic and health impacts. This is the moment that the council should be doing all it can to help local people, not push them off a cliff-edge. The Council must keep to its word and extend the eviction ban now.”
Green councillors have also tabled a motion at Wednesday’s full council meeting, supporting rent forgiveness for renters who have fallen into arrears.
Notes
- https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/documents/s118784/Council%20Questions%20July%202020.pdf See Question 14 and the answer which states: “In respect of tenancies, the council took the decision before the Government to suspend any evictions and this is in place until 23 August in line with government direction. This means that we are not applying for any new warrants, and we have not rescheduled any evictions which were cancelled due to covid.”
- http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2020/03/lambeth-council-services-and-coronavirus-no-evictions-to-be-pursued-during-the-pandemic/