500,000 people in SW cutting back on winter essentials to pay rent or mortgage

The New Year may not be very happy for hundreds of thousands of people in the South West, as research by Shelter reveals a fifth of rent or mortgage payers in the region are cutting back on winter heating and clothing to meet their housing payments. This is the equivalent to 500,000 people.

The study by housing and homelessness charity Shelter and YouGov shows the strain people in the South West face this January, with one in eight rent or mortgage payers fearing they will be unable to meet their housing costs this month.

This is despite the fact that many have already cut back on Christmas to help pay their rent or mortgage, including reducing their spending on presents and food.

With our shortage of affordable homes leaving many families struggling with sky high housing costs, over 100,000 people have sought advice on housing debt from Shelter’s helpline, online, or face-to-face services in the last year.

The charity is urging anyone starting to have difficulties paying their rent or mortgage to get help as early as possible to avoid losing their home.

Shelter’s helpline adviser Danielle Goodwin said: “It never gets easier to hear someone on the phone in tears, and at breaking point from the weight of their spiralling housing payments.

“Every day at Shelter we hear from families who face the bleak choice between missing their rent or cutting back on heating – even though their families have barely had a Christmas to celebrate.

“So many people are feeling the pinch and there’s no shame in asking for help, which is why Shelter is here 365 days a year. Getting advice early can make all the difference, and we’re only ever a click or a call away at shelter.org.uk/advice or on 0808 800 4444.”

Case study: Michelle and her family have had the threat of eviction hanging over them since husband Kevin became self-employed in his job as a builder.

“Even though my husband works as many hours as he can, it’s constantly hand to mouth. We cut back on everything to pay the rent – including food. When the children are at school the heating isn’t on at all, and over Christmas we had to cut back on presents and clothing. 

“I try to hide it as much as I can from my youngest children but they know they can’t ask for treats, and not to let anyone they don’t know into the house in case the bailiffs come round.  I hate living like that. I recently went to the doctor because the stress of it all has made my asthma worse.

“When I rang Shelter my adviser was really supportive and I felt for the first time, there might be light at the end of the tunnel. I found out that there are things you can do to stay in your home.”