Unaffordable Rents: A Health Hazard Alert

Crisis, the charity, is sounding the alarm on the rental market's impact on health.

With fewer than 3% of rentals affordable for those on housing benefit, it's a dire situation. Despite a housing benefit boost in April 2024, affordability has plummeted from 12% in 2021-22 to a mere 2.5% now. Yikes!

Across Great Britain, the picture is equally grim, with just 2.7% of rentals being affordable. Zoopla's data reveals that renters are shelling out an extra £337 for a one-bed, £326 for a two-bed, and a whopping £486 for a three-bed home. And the cherry on top? A housing benefit freeze just kicked in, leaving 5.7 million households in a pickle.

Crisis warns of the financial tightrope renters are walking, with the risk of arrears and homelessness looming large. Linking benefits to rent hikes could be a game-changer, reducing poverty and boosting public health. The English Housing Survey paints a chilly picture, with over a million homes grappling with cold or damp issues.

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Rents have skyrocketed by 45% over the past decade, with average monthly rents hitting £1,381. Meanwhile, homelessness is on the rise, with 126,040 households in temporary digs, including over 164,000 children. Local authorities are feeling the strain, forking out £2.3 billion on temporary accommodation in just one year.

Matt Downie, Crisis' Chief Exec, calls for urgent action, urging ministers to reverse the housing benefit freeze and commit to building much-needed social homes. It's time for a bold plan to tackle this housing crisis and pave the way for a healthier future. Let's get cracking!

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Want to hear more? Join Mal & Matt on the Property AI Report Podcast each week!

Access from your preferred podcast provider by clicking here

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