40% of workers suffer sleepless nights over housing cost worries new research from Shelter reveals

40% of workers suffer sleepless nights over housing cost worries new research from Shelter reveals Two in five (40%) working people in England say they’ve been kept awake at night in the last six months worrying about how they will afford essential housing costs, according to new research by Savanta for Shelter and HSBC UK. The findings highlight the impact this pressure can have on wellbeing. More than half (53%) of working people in England - around 15 million people - say the cost of housing has made them feel anxious in the last six months. The research also highlights the significant trade-offs people are having to make to keep up with rising housing costs, amid inflation, a tough economic outlook, and the lack of genuinely affordable homes across the country. In the last six months, among working adults paying housing costs in England:

• One in three (32%) have had to cut back on food and groceries to afford housing costs

• One in four (24%) have had to cut back on heating their home

• A further 16% have had to sell possessions to meet their housing costs

Despite these challenges, the research points to a clear opportunity for more people to access help earlier: over a quarter (28%) of working people said they did not know where to turn for support or advice when it comes to managing their housing costs. This is why Shelter and HSBC UK are renewing their partnership for a further two years, working together to make it easier for people to identify and access trusted, specialist help. This continued partnership strengthens their shared commitment to helping people across England access expert housing advice early, when it can make the biggest difference. HSBC UK will continue to fund Shelter’s vital services, including its emergency helpline and webchat, alongside in-person advice hubs across the country — helping ensure more people can get the right support at the right time. Lisa, 56, is a special needs teacher and singer-songwriter living in Woking, Surrey, with her husband and four adult children. She also cares for her eldest son, who is autistic. She contacted Shelter after facing eviction from her family home. Through Shelter’s Webchat and Helpline Plus, Lisa received urgent legal advice, which helped her build a sustainable budget and affordable repayment plan, and prepared her defence for court. At the hearing, the judge accepted the plan and granted a suspended possession order, allowing Lisa and her family to remain in their home. Lisa said: “I was at breaking point. I was having panic attacks, struggling to sleep, and feeling like I was failing my children. I genuinely couldn’t see a way out and I felt completely alone with it all.

“When I contacted Shelter, I expected to be told there was nothing that could be done. Instead, they listened, helped me work out what I could realistically afford, and supported me through court. Having someone finally say ‘we can help’ made all the difference — it meant I wasn’t fighting it on my own anymore, and it gave me the chance to keep my home and keep my family together.”

Shelter’s Emergency Helpline Manager, Nadeem Khan, said: “This new research shows the impact of the housing emergency on people’s mental health across the country, as millions feel the effects of sleepless nights spent worrying about how to afford essential housing costs.

“Our frontline teams hear from younger people, older people and parents every day who are under immense strain, grappling with impossible trade-offs to make ends meet

“It can make a big difference if people reach out before they hit crisis point. At Shelter we can help with expert advice on things like managing arrears and creating affordable household budgets, to support on negotiating with landlords, accessing benefits and preventing eviction. It is through partnerships like ours with HSBC UK that we can continue to be there for those worst affected by the housing emergency, and help more people find and keep a safe, stable home.”

HSBC UK Head of Sustainability and Societal Purpose, Natalie Gregoire-Skeete, said: "We recognise that poor financial resilience and housing insecurity often go hand in hand. We are determined to support Shelter's vital work, ensuring that those most at risk can access practical advice and vital support in moments of crisis. At HSBC UK we are committed to supporting customers that may be struggling and have a comprehensive range of support in place. As always, we urge any of our customers to speak to us if they are worried or need help or support. We are always ready to talk, listen to individual circumstances, and offer tailored support. Through our renewed partnership, HSBC UK will continue to back Shelter's community outreach and emergency services, helping people navigate these challenges and find greater stability."

Get help: Free expert advice on housing and financial resilience available

Shelter and HSBC UK are urging anyone who is feeling the negative impact of housing costs to seek expert support as soon as possible by visiting shelter.org.uk/get_help, or to reach out to their bank for broader financial resilience support.

To learn more about the support available at Shelter, visit shelter.org.uk/get_help.

ENDS