This series of briefings address significant issues that are emerging in the UK as a result of Covid-19 that impact on the work of community investment. In each one, we have brought together available evidence to help you think about and plan future strategies and how resources can be directed. This briefing covers hardship and poverty.

 Almost one in five social renters have fallen behind with their housing costs since the pandemic began (14% fallen behind with part of housing cost, 3% with all of housing costs).

Nearly half (47%) of social renters had no savings before Covid-19.

12% of social renters have reduced spending on other items to afford housing costs and are now experiencing “material deprivation”. Another 7% have cut back but are not yet experiencing material deprivation.