More than 400 people in the borough of Hounslow could lose their homes once the eviction ban is lifted, according to a new report. 

The report, presented to the council’s cabinet, revealed that as well as current increased levels of demand, it is experiencing ‘pent up’ demand from those most likely to face eviction. 

These include people who have lost their jobs and those in private accommodation who could fall into homelessness after temporary housing exemptions come to an end. 

The eviction ban was introduced in March to ensure that those struggling to pay rent would not be forced out of their home. 

As part of new rules, the Government has changed the notice period tenants receive for evictions from three to six months. 

This ban will be in place in England until 31 March 2021, except in exceptional circumstances involving anti-social behaviour. 

The report, which was presented in a cabinet meeting on 8 December, also revealed that over 300 people have required housing since March for reasons such as prison releases and domestic abuse. 

The report also revealed how single people have been “disproportionately affected”, with individuals becoming homeless at rates the council had “not experienced before”.

This was largely as a result of government restrictions on household mixing, which resulted in those who would sofa surf being forced onto the streets. 

Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council Lily Bath said: “We’ve had huge pressures on the service, in fact, there’s been an unprecedented demand on housing.

“For example calls to the centre have risen from about 500 to 2,000 people a month just making enquiries around homelessness, the number of people becoming homeless has increased.”

Bath praised the council’s work to reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation in the last five years. 

“I think back in 2015 we had huge numbers of people in temporary accommodation and obviously the cost of that is very high,” she said.

“We were able to reduce that from about £3.7m to £1.3m, and that was really due to our focus on preventing people from being homeless where possible.”

The council’s housing service shows that in March 2015, there were over 1,100 households living in temporary accommodation, with over 1,000 of these being families with children. 

By March 2020, this figure was less than 700, with less than 500 of these being with family and children. 

Data published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows that Hounslow had the second-lowest number of households in temporary accommodation with 683. 

This is compared to Ealing which recorded 2,269 households in temporary accommodation, with 862 placed outside of the borough. 

Cabinet members agreed for all new council homes to be let at council rents as it recognised a number of residents have been unable to pay London Affordable Rent (LAR) due to low incomes.

It will mean on average a one-bedroom property will cost £98 per week in council rent, compared to LAR at £160 per week.