More than 1,000 Coventry households on brink of becoming homeless, charity warns

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Shelter says city is one of the worst places in the Midlands for people struggling to pay rent and facing eviction

A charity is warning that more than 1,000 Coventry households are on the brink of becoming homeless because they are struggling to pay their rent.

The city is one of the worst places in the West Midlands for rented households who face losing the roof over their heads, according to housing charity Shelter.

It says 1,043 renting households in the city are at risk of eviction.

In Nuneaton and Bedworth 239 renting households are at risk of losing their home and the charity’s figure for Warwick is 308, 199 for Rugby , 108 for North Warwickshire and 175 for Stratford .

The charity blamed what it described as a chronic shortage of affordable homes combined with crippling welfare cuts.

Daniel Blake, from the charity, said: “Every day at Shelter we hear from people who are struggling to keep up with their rent, many in total desperation after the court papers land on their doormat and the threat of being evicted becomes very real.

“It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but remember you’re not alone – Shelter is here 365 days a year. So if you’re struggling to keep up, or facing eviction and not sure what to do next, get expert advice as soon as possible.

"It can be the difference between losing your home and keeping it.”

The threat to homes was calculated by comparing the total number of possession claims issued in the last 12 months with the total number of renting households.

A possession claim is the first stage in a court process which can end with the loss of a home.

The number of rented households in each area was based on the 2011 Census and projections from the Office for National Statistics.

Shelter’s advice to people struggling to pay rent includes, getting expert advice early (Shelter’s free helpline is 0808 800 4444), making rent your priority and to always respond to letters and phone calls.