1 in 5 South West renters suffering with physical and mental health because of homes
The issues range from damp and mould, to being unable to heat their homes or pay bills
Last updated 13th Oct 2021
The health of one in five of renters across Cornwall and the South West are being mentally and physically harmed by their homes, new research indicates.
Shelter says the health of 21% of renters in our region – or 167,000 households - is being harmed by poor housing.
The charity’s YouGov poll reveals the most common problems plaguing renters’ mental and physical health in the region. They include damp and mould, which affects 33% of all renters; being unable to heat their home (30%); constantly struggling to pay rent (24%) and fear of eviction (23%). Renters experiencing any one of these issues are three times more likely than renters without these issues to say their current housing situation is harming their health.
In a separate poll of only private renters living in the South West, Shelter delved deeper into the impact of housing problems on peoples’ health since the start of the pandemic:
• 34% said their housing problems or worries left them feeling stressed and anxious
• 16% said their housing issues or worries made them physically sick
• 14% said their housing issues had negatively affected their performance at work.
The findings come as renters are set to head into another challenging winter with soaring fuel costs, the £20 cut to Universal Credit and shorter notice periods for private renters all taking effect. 44% of the people who turned to Shelter’s services for help last year said they were struggling to cope on a daily basis, which points to the intense pressure renters are under.
What have Shelter said?
In a separate poll for UK homeless charity, Shelter, of the private renters questioned 22% said their housing issues or worries had made them physically sick.
A further fifth said these issues had negatively affected their performance at work.
Chief executive at Shelter, Polly Neate, has said that the Government can ease pressure by helping renters clear arrears through targeted grants, and through private rental reforms, but that ultimately more social homes must be built.
Polly Neate said: "The cost of poor housing is spilling out into overwhelmed GP surgeries, mental health services, and hours lost from work.
"The new Housing Secretary must get a grip on the housing crisis and tackle a major cause of ill health.
"Listening to the calls flooding into our helpline there is no doubt that health and housing go hand in hand.
"Yet, millions of renters are living in homes that make them sick because they are mouldy, cold, unaffordable and grossly insecure.
"The stress and suffering that comes with not knowing if you can pay your rent from month to month or if you will face eviction is huge."
Vicki Nash, head of policy, campaigns and public affairs at Mind, said: "Everyone deserves a safe, affordable, stable, and suitable place to live, not somewhere which makes us feel 'hopeless', and worsens our mental health.
"Social issues such as jobs, housing and benefits play a huge role in the nation's mental health.
"Addressing the underlying causes of poor mental health can prevent people being pushed into poverty, allow people to live independently, and reduce the need for more intensive support further down the line."