Lives on hold: understanding the consequences of waiting for social housing

With over 1.5m UK households stuck on social housing waiting lists, there is a chronic shortage of social housing and this often leaves households  stuck in harmful accommodation. Research by Crisis, Lloyds Banking Group and Simon Community Northern Ireland, surveyed over 1,000 adults who are on social housing waiting lists or in social housing uncovering the impact the chronic shortage of social housing is having on people’s lives. 

The research found that three quarters (73%) of people surveyed on UK social housing waiting lists experienced problems with their accommodation that was harmful to their health. It also revealed how over half of those surveyed (55%) felt like their lives were on hold whilst waiting for social housing. Almost half (47%) said that they’re putting off starting a family, two in five (42%) have delayed changing jobs or starting new careers out of fear of unsettling their housing situation further, while others have postponed going back to school or university – robbing them of a chance at building a stable future. 

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Lives on Hold report 2024

The research explored a range of issues related to what it was like for people to be waiting for social housing.

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