Shelter Report 40% Rise in Need for their Service
- 22 Apr
Homeless charity Shelter has reported a surge in demand in the last year for help from people struggling to pay for their homes.
They have reported a 40% increase in the number of callers in England needing help with housing costs, arrears and debt issues, showing how few options people have left.
The charity have shown results from that Yougov survey that show that 30% of people have been forced to cut back on food in order to pay for increased housing costs.
The survey also shows that people are struggling to find ways to get any extra money together; only one in five people who are struggling with living costs can get extra hours at work to help fund the costs, and only one in four would have the option of getting a second job.
Shelter have found that in the last year, they have had a 40% increase in callers looking for help, and in the last six months use of the online advise service has doubled.
They believe that rising living costs and cuts to benefit have left rising numbers of peopleare struggling to pay for their homes, and that this problem will continue to worsen as benefits are cut further, living costs continue to rise, and wages do not as the economy continues to struggle.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said:
This research highlights the frightening lack of options available to people who are fighting to keep a roof over their head.
Sadly, with little remaining of the housing safety net meant to support them in tough times, many can quickly find themselves at risk of losing their home.
Every day we speak to people who are on the brink and have no where left to turn. But getting early support from a charity like Shelter can help families get back in control of their finances and prevent the downward spiral that can ultimately lead to homelessness.
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