Of the 33 homes repossessed, 31 were evictions of renters and just two were by mortgage lenders, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice
More than 30 homes were repossessed in Oldham last year – the vast majority of which were renters.
Of the 33 homes repossessed, 31 were evictions of renters and just two were by mortgage lenders, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice.
This was down from 36 repossessions in 2020, and far fewer than the 139 repossessed in 2019.
Across England and Wales, there were 10,195 repossessions in 2021 – up from 8,608 the year before.
Bailiff-enforced evictions were banned for a large part of 2020-21 – a measure introduced by the Government to prevent renters from becoming homeless during the pandemic – though the ban was lifted in England on May 31 last year.
Additionally, figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities showed that more than 1,000 Oldham households become homeless during the first 18 months of the Covid pandemic.
The MoJ figures show the number of claims lodged to repossess homes in Oldham rose last year.
In 2021, 192 claims to repossess homes in Oldham were lodged by mortgage lenders and landlords – up from 185 in 2020, but below 605 in 2019.
Of the claims lodged last year, 136 were evictions of renters and 56 by mortgage lenders.
Shelter said huge numbers of eviction notices are currently dropping on doormats across the country and rising living costs may be the final straw for many renters.
Osama Bhutta, director of campaigns at the housing charity, said: Some are being forced to choose between feeding their families, heating their homes, or paying their rent.
While government measures, like the £65 million rent arrears fund, will help some, it won’t be enough to protect every family who is barely hanging onto their home, he said.
He said: It’s time the Government gave renters the financial lifeline they need by boosting support and reversing the damaging welfare cuts that have left people on the brink of destitution.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said its actions have helped keep thousands of people in their homes.
Along with the £65 million to support low-income households, a DLUHC spokeswoman said £316 million will be available next year to prevent homelessness.