A new study has revealed that one in three working families in England would not be able to pay their rent or mortgage for more than a month if they lost their job.
According to research by Shelter, 37% of working families surveyed said they would be unable to cover their housing costs for more than one month if they or their partner lost their job, while 23% of working families said that they would be unable to pay their housing costs at all.
High housing costs remain a major area of concern for most working families, with almost half saying housing puts the biggest strain on their household budget.
Shelter is urging the new government to do all it can to protect and improve the welfare safety net that helps families to stay in their home when they fall on hard times.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “These figures are stark a reminder that sky-high housing costs are leaving millions of working families stretched to breaking point, and barely scraping by from one paycheque to the next.
“Any one of us could hit a bump along life’s road, and at Shelter we speak to parents every day who, after losing their job or seeing their hours cut, are terrified of losing the roof over their children’s heads too.
“In these uncertain times, the new government has a real chance to show working families they’re on their side, by protecting and improving our welfare safety net. It’s vital that if life does takes a turn for the worse, there’s enough support available for families so that they don’t go hurtling towards homelessness.”
Shelter cited the example of Lou and her two children. They have begun to struggle financially after she separated from her partner a couple of years ago. Even though Lou works full-time as a complex needs carer and has moved into a small flat, she finds keeping up with the rent every month a struggle.
“I couldn’t afford to buy my son a proper birthday present this year. I felt awful about it but I don’t think you should hide everything from your children. You don’t want to expose them to too much, but at the same time if you simply can’t afford things you have to explain that to them.
“I’m working hard, but it still makes me feel like a failure. I recently changed jobs and hit a rough patch when I thought I wouldn’t be able to pay the rent. An employer had given me some work and didn’t tell me that my hours wouldn’t be guaranteed. I lost a chunk of my income all of a sudden, and very nearly lost my home. It was really scary.
“There’s never a cushion. You’d think if you were working you’d be able to save a little bit every month, but it’s just not a possibility when just paying for the basics is so expensive.”
Anyone who is worried about losing their home can contact Shelter for free, expert advice. Visit www.shelter.org.uk/advice or call the Shelter helpline on 0808 800 4444.
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