Housing, choice and control: how housing and poverty interact

Housing and income issues are largely inseparable, as is reflected in the way poverty and inequality statistics are reported.

The people we spoke to told us that housing and income issues were having an extremely negative impact on their lives, especially their mental health
Interviewees identified a lack of control and choice with regards to both their housing and money worries.

All interviewees felt deeply isolated. The causes of this were threefold: physical distance from friends and support networks, poverty meaning they could not afford to socialise, and mental health issues

The availability of personalised support for those in temporary accommodation that recognises the specific location and space needs of the household, and enables choice from the homelessness system, is crucial to minimising distress and increasing the probability of future tenancy sustainment