'Address issue of Weymouth families at risk of homelessness'

I now read in Monday’s Echo a report of ‘Support Tenants’ stating that a number of tenants who have been issued with orders to leave their homes, granted property repossessions, suspended property possession orders and warrants to evict people in breach of previous orders.

It would appear that families losing their homes is on the increase.

Property prices are rising fast and, although many estates are being built, we all know these are out of reach for many local families who earn the minimum wage. Landlords and their agents are cashing in on the opportunity and raising rents.

This is causing many families to live in fear of eviction as they cannot afford the increase.

The average rent for a 3 bed family home is now approx £900 per month added to this council tax, which is due to increase by 4.5% which means these families need in excess of one thousand pounds per month before any other expenses such as food, and heating etc.

It is no wonder that young families are struggling. I may add many of these families are working families and key workers.

I repeat from my last letter, once these families are evicted they are banished to B&B in another area miles away from what was their home.

I feel this is like the Victorian banishment to the workhouse except it’s to another unfamiliar area. The mental effect this has on the family and particularly the children is questionable in a Western country.

I have written to our MP Richard Drax and sent a copy to Matt Prosser, Chief executive of Dorset Council, with my concerns asking for this issue to be addressed. I ask anyone who is facing a similar experience to do the same.

I believe the social housing list for Weymouth and Portland is already staggering, with many families having no hope of being re housed. Again I say if this is not addressed families will be on the streets, like in the Victorian era.

M WATTS

Weymouth