Catherine May looks at a new report on housing (in)security during COVID-19
Living through the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns of 2020/2021 has been challenging for most people, but a new report emphasises the extent to which this has been a particularly negative experience for people living in insecure or unsafe housing. A far-reaching study considers the importance of having a consistent home that is good quality, affordable, and safe as well as the security of tenure concerning stability, maintaining a roof over one’s head, and ultimately preventing homelessness.
In November 2021, Public Health Wales (PHW) published the third in its health impact assessments (HIA) which focused on the health and equity impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the population of Wales. The report No place like home? Exploring the health and well-being impact of COVID-19 on housing and housing insecurity was co-authored by the Tyfu Tai Cymru team based at CIH Cymru and explores the health and well-being impact of Coronavirus on housing and housing insecurity.
Key findings of the report are that the economic impacts of the pandemic have had a negative effect on low-income households, women and young people in particular. For people living on a reduced income, life in lockdown brought further hardship, which could be exacerbated by their precarious living (and work) situation.
The report reflects that people living in the private rented sector are at an increased risk of insecure housing due to less affordable housing during an economic crisis and market conditions fuelling greater housing costs due to demand. However, mitigation measures, such as the suspension on evictions and the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme provided by the Welsh Government, were thought to have helped many.
In one of the most concerning findings the report found that some women, children and young people have been at greater risk of harm from violence and abuse or exposure to this through spending more time at home during the pandemic, and Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) has been exacerbated. There was also thought to be a lack of refuges where those at risk of VAWDASV can access support (particularly face-to-face support) and safe housing.
The pandemic has highlighted the positive impact of housing, welfare and COVID-19 support measures. For example, homelessness prevention schemes have provided temporary accommodation, but there was a recognition that some risk becoming homeless again as support measures are withdrawn over time.
Positively, the report highlighted that there has been an increase in neighbourhoods coming together to support one another. However, some individuals and population groups have been affected negatively in feeling isolated or unable to access support.
Liz Green, consultant in health, policy and international health at Public Health Wales highlighted that:
‘The need for security in relation to having, and keeping, a home and being surrounded by a safe and consistent home environment, and its impact on both physical and mental health and well-being has long been recognised. The evidence in this report can assist policy and decision-makers and wider third sector when considering the impact of the pandemic on housing and housing insecurity, so that potential inequalities and negative impacts can be reduced, and future opportunities for positive health and well-being maximised.’
It’s important to remember that the HIA captures a period in time, and some things have already changed for the worse. We know that for example the end of furlough, the removal of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit, cost of living increases and a greater burden of debt on some households will have exacerbated the issues uncovered by the HIA further still.
Whilst the HIA paints the picture of the good and the bad of the pandemic in relation to housing and housing insecurity, as a sector (and as society) we need to ask what happens next? Whilst the responses needed to mitigate some of the worst impacts are entangled with politics and the available resources (at both a Welsh and UK Government level) there are a number of levers that need further focus.
These include the funding of housing related support, how it spans housing tenures, reaches people in a timely way and is backed-up with an availability of housing to offer sustainable long-term solutions. And progressing a rights-based approach to housing which in the recent Welsh Labour – Plaid Cymru Co-operation Agreement – saw a real path to realisation with the promise of a white paper. We know that the incorporation of this right into Welsh law would place us on the right path to reducing inequalities, increasing housing quality across all tenures and importantly, making sure everyone has access to a safe, secure, affordable place to call home.
Catherine May is Tyfu Tai Cymru manager