William Eichler 24 January 2020

Households living in overcrowded private rentals ‘doubles’ in decade

The number of households living in overcrowded private rentals has doubled over the last 10 years, a housing charity has found.

An analysis of the English Housing Survey for 2018/19 by Shelter has revealed that more than 283,000 households who rent privately are living in overcrowded conditions.

This figure has doubled in the last 10 years and increased by 22,000 households in the last year alone.

Shelter’s analysis also found that more than 4.5 million households rent their home from a private landlord, which works out as just over 11 million people – a rise of 48% over the last decade.

One in four families with children in England (24%) now rent privately. This marks an increase of 84% in 10 years.

‘As the supply of new social homes grinds to a halt, we’ve seen an explosion in the number of people living in overcrowded private rentals,’ said Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter.

‘More and more families are crammed like sardines into homes that are too small for them because they can’t afford to rent anywhere bigger.

‘The odds are stacked against struggling families. What this country desperately needs is an alternative to private renting, which is why Shelter is urging the government to build a new generation of genuinely affordable social homes.

‘These homes would finally give people the chance of a decent place to live where they can plan for their future.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director of Place and Customer

Essex County Council
up to £179,404 per annum
Shape the Future of Essex. Drive climate action. Deliver for our communities. Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Arts Officer Exhibitions – Maternity Cover

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,602 - £45,564
Arts Officer (Exhibitions) – Maternit... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Traveller Site Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
46142 - 49282
About Us Oxfordshire County Council is seeking a Traveller Site Officer to join our small but brilliant, Gypsy and Traveller Service. We aim to deliver an outstanding service that is community focused, trusted, and inclusive, as well as promoting fairness Kidlington
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Financial Assessment Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
31537 - 34434
Work location
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Senior Voluntary Sector Grants and Project Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Senior Voluntary Sector Grants and Proj... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner