Rising housing costs are a major factor influencing poverty in the UK. Research has shown that high rents reduce the incentive for those in poverty to seek work. Social housing is highly targeted at low-income households and is the most effective aspect of the welfare state in reducing poverty, as it provides affordable housing. However, many low-income working households still struggle with housing costs, relying on in-work housing benefits to afford their rent.

1. Click to add title
Click to add subtitle
Click to insert presenter name and/or date
Rents, affordability and
poverty
Savills/JRF Seminar 14/9/17
Brian Robson, Acting Head of Policy & Research

3. “The underlying level of rents emerged as
the principle housing factor influencing the
incentive to work.”
Ken Gibb et al; How does housing affect work incentives for people in poverty?, JRF 2016

5. Housing costs
Proportion of households spending more than a third of their net income on housing by tenure

6. “Social housing is highly targeted on people
with low incomes and has been shown to be
the most ‘pro-poor’ and redistributive major
aspect of the entire welfare state.”
Rebecca Tunstall et al, The Links Between Housing and Poverty, JRF 2013

7. “Social housing is highly targeted on people
with low incomes and has been shown to be
the most ‘pro-poor’ and redistributive major
aspect of the entire welfare state.”
Rebecca Tunstall et al, The Links Between Housing and Poverty, JRF 2013

8. Thanks for listening
Brian.Robson@jrf.org.uk
01904 615 936
@jrfbrian

9. In-work housing benefit