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Third of adults struggling with housing costs also have a mental health problem, report finds
A third of adults struggling with housing costs are also experiencing a mental health problem, a report published by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute has revealed.
According to the charity, 34% of people who are struggling with housing costs are also experiencing a mental health problem, compared to 22% of the wider population. This was based on a survey of 40,000 people. The report’s authors said a squeeze in living standards is leaving many struggling to pay rent.
The research was welcomed by a variety of housing associations, including some of the UK’s biggest housing providers such as Hyde Group and Optivo, who worked with the charity to understand the issues affecting their tenants.
The government is intending to introduce a “breathing space”, which would be a statutory measure to freeze interest, charges and enforcement action for six weeks for people struggling with debt so they can seek advice.
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The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute said this measure needs to include social housing tenants who are in rent arrears.
The institute has also published a best practice checklist for social housing providers to help them support tenants with mental health problems.
The study found that although social landlords have “invested heavily” in supporting tenants in response to welfare reforms, the volume of tenants requiring support means many services are struggling to keep up.
Tenants are also reluctant to take up the offer of support by housing providers, the study found. Money and Mental Health said that people experiencing mental health problems often feel powerless to resolve their situation and are fearful of engaging with housing staff.
The report added: “Often people will not feel comfortable disclosing this information. Combined with the financial pressure on social landlords, this creates a significant operational challenge to the sector.”
Simon Crine, interim director of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “We’re delighted that six housing associations have supported this work so far, and we hope that the government will take these recommendations on board in the same constructive way.”
