Two in five (40%) of people who pay housing costs in England – equivalent to 12 million adults – are worried their housing pressures will get worse this year.  

New research from Shelter and HSBC UK reveals that more than 19.7 million adults (66%) reported housing concerns in 2023 including 6.3 million people who struggled to keep up with their mortgage or rent payments, 3.1 million people who worried about eviction and 11.7 million people who had to cut back on essentials to keep up with their housing costs.

These mounting concerns are impacting their lives, says Shelter, as more than half (56%) report being kept awake at night in the last year, while seven in ten (70%) said they felt anxious, and half said their housing situation has left them feeling hopeless (49%).

Shelter and HSBC UK are urging anyone who is feeling overwhelmed to get in touch for free advice by visiting www.shelter.org.uk/get_help.

Resilience

They are working together to help more people and communities build financial resilience by also funding more emergency help measures, as well as expanding existing Shelter programmes with digital and in-person services.

Pilot projects have started in Birmingham and Lancashire, targeting intervention in local community settings such as warm banks, GP surgeries and even football clubs. They are expected to reach more than 3,000 people who are at higher risk of homelessness.  

Shelter emergency helpline manager, Nadeem Khan (pictured), says: “Shelter is on the front line of the housing emergency, and we see the devastating impact this mounting pressure is having on people’s lives.

"The sooner people reach out for help the better, and so in partnership with HSBC UK we’re increasing support for people in immediate crisis as well as helping those at risk build a more secure future.”