People living in social housing are skipping meals and cutting off their electricity supplies to make ends meet in the face of the Cost-of-Living crisis.
A report by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has laid bare the drastic circumstances some Scots face as they struggle with rising bills and inflation.
The report’s authors have laid the blame for the spiraling situation at the door of the UK Government, and have called for greater support to be given to the most vulnerable.
The SFHA said that there should a ‘social energy tariff’, offering a discounted energy bills rate to support needy customers and prevent self-disconnection.
SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: “It is simply not right that in one of the worlds’ richest economies we have so many people facing the level of need uncovered here. And we have to be clear – this is a direct result of political choices.
READ MORE: Rents in Scotland soar by up to 22% despite ScotGov rent freeze
“Housing associations provide safe, warm, affordable homes for life: but our members are still seeing tenants struggling. Over 70% of Scotland’s social tenants receive some form of social security, so if people cannot feed their families or heat their homes, then it’s clear that the system is not fit for purpose.
“Reforming Universal Credit and introducing a social tariff for energy are measures that the UK Government could take now: and as we head into another difficult winter, the need has never been more urgent. They must act now.”
More than a quarter of Scotland’s population rent their homes from social landlords. Despite housing association rents being half of those in the private rented sector, most social tenants are on lower incomes and are more susceptible to economic shocks.
The report – titled “It’s Your Life’s Opportunities” - found that the biggest drivers of deprivation have been the “exorbitant” costs of food and energy, with more than 95% of tenants saying that they are struggling with the costs of putting food on the table and heating their home.
The vast majority - 86% - also said they feel worse off than this time last year.
Research shows that more than 60,000 people across Scotland are kept out of poverty because they rent socially. Recent figures reveal that an additional 30,000 people in the private rented sector would be lifted out of poverty entirely were they to rent from a social landlord instead.
As well as the severe financial implications the cost-of-living crisis has had for Scotland’s social tenants, the report brought to light the widespread impacts on physical and mental health.
READ MORE: Agenda — Cost of Living? Cost of a failing system
Almost 9 in 10 tenants surveyed found that the crisis has had an adverse impact on their health, with two thirds of them also saying their mental health had worsened.
Nearly 1 in 2 tenant admitted to skipping meals with the majority also cutting back on fruit and vegetables.
Those with specialist needs have also been hit hard - some tenants living with diabetes are unable to afford the food required to manage their condition; while others who require specialist medical equipment cannot afford to power their devices.
David Linden, SNP MP for Glasgow East, welcomed the report’s publication and backed calls for reforms to social security.
He said: “In Parliament I have consistently called for the UK Government to introduce essentials guarantee that would provide social security claimants with a minimum income, protecting people from not being able to afford essentials like food, household bills and travel costs.
“As well as continuing to call for the reintroduction of the £400 energy bill rebate, immediate action must be taken to tackle the soaring food prices, similar to policies we currently see being introduced in France.
“I cannot thank the SFHA enough for taking the time to produce the report, and giving a voice to social tenants across Scotland, who are suffering most at the hands of a Westminster-made cost of living crisis. The UK Government can and must go further to help mitigate the worst effects of the cost-of-living crisis, and I hope that this report reinforces the need for them to act sooner, rather than later.”
The UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions has been contacted for comment.
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