No place like home: poverty and furnished tenancy provision in social housing

Summary

For many on low incomes, especially care leavers, those fleeing domestic violence, or those who have escaped homelessness, getting hold of furniture and appliances is a mountain to climb. Given the economic effects of Covid-19, which will likely hit social housing tenants the hardest, and the fact that the cost of furniture has increased by 21%, it has never been more important to provide tenants with a place to call home.

The report sets out the positive impact that increased furniture provision can have on tenants’ lives; what furniture support is currently available for tenants living in furniture poverty; and what barriers are in place which are preventing increased furniture provision in the sector, and how those barriers can be overcome.

Despite a lack of support available at the moment for tenants living in furniture poverty, we show that there is great room for optimism. Our report provides a number of practical evidence-based solutions to help RSLs support their tenants with furniture and appliances.