Cumbria social housing scarcity in holiday home heaven

A mother of two from Kendal faced a no-fault eviction, leaving her and her children with only two months to find a new home after living in their current residence for six and a half years. Despite her efforts to secure a new tenancy in her name alone, she found that the available social housing options were limited to small two-bedroom properties. With a total of 6,100 social houses in the Westmorland and Furness Council area, only 69 were advertised as available at the time of her search. The mother, who works multiple jobs including as a teaching assistant and freelance artist, was placed on the social housing waiting list after being served a section 21 notice. This type of eviction has become a significant issue in housing discussions across the UK. The local council has stated that they support individuals facing eviction and provide assistance, but the process of securing a new home is lengthy and varies by case. The situation is exacerbated by a growing number of landlords opting to stop renting out their properties, which has contributed to the scarcity of available homes. The owner of the mother’s previous residence decided to change their circumstances and no longer wished to rent, highlighting the instability many renters face. As the mother prepares to move in an area with a high concentration of holiday lets, she expresses her frustration over the unfairness of the housing situation, which affects many families in similar predicaments. The government has pledged to increase the supply of social housing, but the impact of these promises remains to be seen.