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More Scots struggling to pay rent or mortgage, survey reveals
The number of Scottish households struggling to pay their rent or mortgage has increased by a third in the past two years, new polling reveals.
The research, carried out on behalf of homelessness charity Shelter Scotland, found that 12% of respondents were struggling with their rent or mortgage costs. It is an increase from the 9% two years ago, when the same survey was conducted.
According to YouGov, which carried out the polling, the 12% figure is equivalent to nearly 200,000 households in Scotland.
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In addition, 36% of respondents said they would struggle if the costs rose by £50 a month in 2019, while 39% admitted they had at least once borrowed money from a friend, used a credit card or used their savings to pay for their rent or mortgage.
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “A perfect storm of austerity, harsh welfare reforms, stagnant wages, job insecurity and the high cost of housing are making it harder for people to make ends meet and plan for the future.”
A total of 600 people were surveyed by YouGov between 13 and 17 December last year.
“It’s a disgrace that in 21st-century Scotland so many people should have to worry about the basic right of keeping a roof over their heads.”
Shelter Scotland said that 46% of those seeking help through the charity needed advice on keeping their home.
Mr Brown urged people to seek advice to avoid putting their homes at risk. “It’s absolutely vital that people who find themselves struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads seek help sooner rather than later,” he said.
