7 in 10 callers worried about housing situation, says Shelter

Homeless charity Shelter is warning there could soon be a rise in homelessness, as 70% of callers to its emergency helpline are expressing concerns over housing costs and bills.  

The cost-of-living crisis is putting thousands of households under pressure, as private rents reach record highs and mortgages rates increase too.  

Now new data from Shelter shows eight in 10 callers are already homeless or at risk of homelessness, compared to seven in 10 calling during the same period last year.  

Just over 70% of respondents to a survey by the charity said the cost-of-living crisis was making their housing situation worse.  

One caller, Danielle, 30, was made homeless in August when her landlord decided to sell the house she was living in, leaving her with nowhere to go.  

‘After being evicted my kids and I started sofa surfing, but we couldn’t do this forever. I spoke to the council but nothing happened, and my kids and I were left with nowhere to sleep,’ she said.  

Shelter found Danielle somewhere to stay and provided her with advice which led to her applying for legal aid and getting a suitable home for herself and children.  

Now the charity is partnering with M&S Food to keep its emergency helpline running, as it receives more than 1,000 callers a day. 5% of every sale from the Festive Food on the Move rnage will go towards the helpline.  

Andrea Deakin, Helpline Manager at Shelter, said: ‘Our advisers are doing everything they can to help people find or keep hold of their home in what’s expected to be one of the toughest winters as the cost of living crisis goes from bad to worse.  

‘Day in day out our advisers hear appalling stories of people in the most desperate situations, from the man whose increasing rent meant he only had one bag of rice to last him until payday to the homeless families bounced from hostel to hostel.  

‘We know we’ve got our work cut out, but everyone who picks something up from M&S’s Food on the Move range will help those putting on a brave face despite unimaginable hardship in their fight for a home.’  

Photo by Jon Tyson