Charities 'busier than ever' with furniture poverty
Summary
Charities in Hampshire, UK, report increasing demand for furniture help due to many people living without basic household items like beds and fridges. A national charity and some MPs want the government to create a plan to address "furniture poverty," which means not having essential furniture and appliances for a normal home.Key Facts
- About six million people in the UK lack essential furniture and appliances.
- Most social housing in the UK is rented out empty, without furniture.
- The charity Scratch has been helping people for 27 years and now has more requests than ever.
- People may need furniture help after crises like domestic violence, fleeing relationships, or financial hardship.
- Scratch operates through referrals from councils and social workers and sells furniture packs at low prices.
- End Furniture Poverty defines furniture poverty as not being able to afford or access basic household furniture and appliances.
- Over 25% of social housing tenants live in furniture poverty, but less than 3% of social housing is furnished.
- Furniture poverty can harm physical and mental health, including poor sleep and inability to store food properly.
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