Working Families Cutting Back On Essentials To Pay Rent Or Mortgage

Nearly half of working families have having to cut back on essential food and clothing to pay the mounting costs of the housing crisis. Rising house prices and rents caused by a shortage of affordable homes mean the average household now spends 29 per cent of its monthly income on housing costs. Those locked out of the housing market who privately rent fare even worse, spending 43 per cent of their salaries. Now research by Shelter and YouGov found that the equivalent of 3.7 million families say they have cut back on buying essential food or clothing to pay their mortgage or rent. A total of 44 per cent of households surveyed said they had had cut back on those items. Read more on the Independent website.