IKEA and its charity partner, Shelter, have today released research that reveals more than 11 million adults are worried about losing their current home, and half say that if they lost their current home, they would struggle to find somewhere else to live. The research reveals the devastating consequences of a cost-of-living crisis meeting the housing emergency, with findings showing that in the past year, in order to keep up with their housing costs, 18% of adults in the UK say they have taken on additional work, 17% have skipped meals and a further quarter would consider it.
Meanwhile, 25% say that their housing situation is more insecure now than it has ever been, with almost a third fearing they will struggle with their housing situation for the duration of their lives. One in every 208 people in England is currently experiencing homelessness, with thousands more likely to lose their homes by the end of the year as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Together, IKEA and Shelter have created ‘Real Life Roomsets’ to raise awareness of this issue and highlight the real living conditions of those who become homeless and are forced into temporary accommodation as a result.
The roomsets, which are a stark contrast to those found in IKEA’s showrooms, are based on real stories of people local to the stores involved. Each roomset highlights the cramped, dangerous, and grotty spaces that an increasing number of people who are experiencing homelessness are forced to experience when living in temporary accommodation.
Temporary accommodation, which can take the form of emergency hostels, B&Bs, one room bedsits and cramped flats, is provided by councils to qualifying families who are homeless and is designed to be just that: temporary. However, with a shortage in social housing, some families are finding themselves living in temporary accommodation for years and are very often asked to move several times with short notice.
Sam's story is being highlighted as part of the campaign.
After a relationship breakdown, Sam and her three children found themselves homeless and placed in a hostel that wasn’t appropriate. After seven weeks of living alone in her car while her children stayed with a friend, Sam was eventually placed in temporary accommodation, but it was out of her area and too far away from her children’s schools, so they had to move to live with their dad.
Sam was assaulted on two occasions while living in her temporary accommodation. Her temporary accommodation had black mould, and due to a hole in her front door where the letter box should have been, there was an overriding smell of cannabis constantly throughout the flat. The stress of the situation meant that Sam had to take leave from work, and she worries what the long-term impact will be of her not being able to care for her children during this time.
IKEA and Shelter are demanding 90,000 social homes to be built a year by 2030 to help address the housing emergency, which 59% of adults in the UK believe is worse than ever.
IKEA is also joining Shelter’s campaign to amend the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill with a new Infrastructure Levy, to ensure all new truly affordable homes are social housing.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland, says: “The focus on building ‘affordable’ homes rather than social housing is a distraction from finding a real solution to the housing emergency, which currently relies on the unsuitable provision of temporary accommodation where families are being forced to live in uninhabitable and unacceptable conditions.
“At IKEA, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, which is why we’re so proud to partner with Shelter in calling for long-term change, whilst also helping those directly affected by the housing emergency in our local communities.”
Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: “A grotty hostel or B&B is not a home, but this is the reality for too many families stuck in temporary accommodation. That’s why we’re working with IKEA to show the grim living situations that families who become homeless are having to face – from having no space for children to do homework or play, to having to share beds, to being moved miles away from schools and support networks.
“With rents at an all-time high and no end to the cost-of-living crisis in sight, we’re desperately worried that more people are going to become homeless this year. The solution to this crisis is simple and it’s staring the government in the face: we must build a new generation of good quality social housing that people can actually afford to live in.”
‘Real Life Roomsets’ is part of IKEA and Shelter’s long-term partnership, which will see the launch of a series of initiatives to help those affected by the housing emergency in local communities and beyond – aiming to increase access to support and opportunities.
To read more about ‘Real Life Roomsets’ – including IKEA and Shelter’s downloadable campaign toolkit that provides an overview of how to join the campaign to build 90,000 social homes a year by 2030 – and their long-term partnership, visit www.IKEA.co.uk/Shelter
