Hampshire charities ‘busier than ever’ with furniture poverty

Sarah Knight, from the charity, said: “It’s huge. People are digging deep – the only other alternative is to enter loans which have a high interest rate and can lead to problems along the line.

“It used to be people on benefits – now it’s not, it’s people from all walks of life. Reduced hours, higher bills – it affects everybody.

“The foodbanks and pantries are on the increase and it’s the same with furniture – there are so many families struggling.

“Some may not have a bed, they may have a couple of kids sharing a bed. It’s horrendous to think that we are in 2026 and to think this amount of poverty is still going on.”

End Furniture Poverty is calling on the government to ensure 10% of social housing is let as furnished.

A government spokesperson said in a statement: “No one should have to live without essential furniture in the place they call home.

“We’re taking action to support renters by launching a £1bn fund that can be used to help households get furniture.”