‘ Shocking’ housing conditions in North add to winter fears

NORTHERNERS living in “shocking” housing conditions fearasecond coronavirus wave combined with winter will make life increasingly difficult for those struggling, a new report has found.

The report published today by the Northern Housing Consortium

details the challenging conditions many in poor quality housing faced during the first coronavirus lockdown.

And experts raised fears that as the weather turned cold over the winter, combined with the prospect of further lockdowns, the outcome could be even more bleak.

The report found issues such as disrepair, cold homes and lack of space were exacerbated during national lockdown, impacting upon residents’ physical and mental health.

Residents in the private rented sector faced particular challenges, with many tenants experiencing deteriorating conditions.

And fears over being seen as a problem to landlords meant some tenants did not report repairs, fearing eviction or rent reprisals.

Tracy Harrison, chief executive of the Northern Housing Consortium, said: “This report shows that – far from being safe at home – too many Northerners have spent lockdown in homes that have harmed their health.

“The immediate priority must be strengthening the safety net to keep people afloat this winter – but in the longer term we must learn lessons from lockdown and renew our housing stock so that everyone in the North has a decent place to call home.”

The research was undertaken by the University of Huddersfield, with academics interviewing residents across the North from May to July, just months after lockdown restrictions were introduced in England to prevent the spread of Covid- 19.