New data showing the “gut-wrenching” effects of the current cost of renting a house in Yorkshire has been echoed by the Sheffield lead of a national charity.
The Sheffield service lead of Shelter said the charity was doing at it could to support households, with 90% more people facing an eviction notice than the same period last year.
Tracey Nathan said: “Every day our frontline advisers are giving vital support to people in gut-wrenching situations – from the mum who’s skipping meals to pay the rent to the family terrified they will be spending Christmas in a grotty homeless hostel.
“At Shelter we are doing all we can to help people keep the bailiffs at bay, but we’ve got our work cut out.”
Her comments came as data was released by YouGov and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), highlighting the struggles that many residents, across the Yorkshire and Humber region, are facing.
The problem is not just limited to Sheffield. Across England more than half a million people have received, or been threatened with, an eviction notice in the last month.
Record high rents and soaring living costs mean the fear of becoming homeless is looming large over millions of people stuck living in insecure private rentals.
Polly Neate, chief executive for Shelter, said: “Shelter’s frontline services are working seven days a week to help people weather the storm, but as more people turn to us, we need the public’s support more than ever this winter.”
This crisis comes as people continue to feel the effects of the cost of living crisis and as of October 2022, inflation is at 11.05%, the highest rate in almost 40 years.
This is putting an additional squeeze on renters as they try to stretch their budgets to cover energy bill rises and increasing grocery bills.
Anyone facing homelessness can get free and expert advice through Shelter’s emergency helpline, webchat service and online advice pages. Visit www.shelter.org.uk/get_help to find out more.
