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Looking for P3 Housing Association?
Go to P3 Housing
With 19.9 million people in England cutting back on essentials like food or heating to cover mortgage or rental costs in 2025, it’s no surprise that the cost-of-living crisis is having a dramatic impact on households across the country, forcing people to make increasingly difficult decisions year-on-year.
With general living expenses rising faster than the average income, the cost-of-living crisis is putting financial strain on many individuals, families, businesses and charities. The rise in rent, mortgages, energy, food and transport means basic needs are getting harder to cover on wages that aren’t increasing to match inflation.
This reinforces existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households such as low-income families, single parents and the elderly, lead to potential housing instability and increased risk of homelessness.
With 360,050 households in England seeking housing support across 2024-25 – up from 325,000 households in 2023-24 – that’s nearly 1,000 households every day who are seeking support for housing insecurity. This has a knock-on effect on people’s mental health, wellbeing and access to education and employment opportunities, leading many more people to seek support in these areas.
At P3 Charity, our work directly supports people who are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis – from housing support and homelessness prevention advice, to mental health services and personal budgeting support, this article will delve into what housing instability looks like and the importance of early intervention when seeking support.
As UK homelessness charity, Crisis points out that housing instability or “insecure housing means living with the constant uncertainty of not having a stable place to stay” – this can include people facing rent arrears, short-term tenancies, overcrowding or temporary accommodation. People facing housing insecurity may have an address, but it’s often not guaranteed long-term.
With 71% of people feeling anxious about increasing household pressures, more people than ever are at risk of housing insecurity. Without early support, housing insecurity can lead to homelessness, including rough sleeping. This is where P3 steps in, providing early intervention at a critical point through practical housing support and tailored guidance to help people stay safe, stable and connected to the services they need, before crisis hits.
Some of the main causes of housing insecurity are:
While support services are undeniably stretched at the moment, help is out there from charities like P3 that work tirelessly to ensure that people get the support they need. With insecure housing directly impacting mental health, it’s important to reach out to local authorities and housing organisations as soon as possible if you believe you are at risk of homelessness, as it’s easier to prevent homelessness to rebuild from homelessness.
Looking for advice or housing support? You can find P3 Charity services near you, by visiting our Get Support page.
P3 not in your area? Contact your local authority for housing support.
P3 Charity operates on the principle that support is most effective when delivered early, so a lot of our services work to prevent homelessness before it occurs by providing compassionate, person-centred support tailored to each person’s needs.
During the cost-of-living crisis, when rising rents, energy bills and everyday expenses are pushing more people into financial hardship, this preventative approach is more vital than ever. We recognise that housing stability, wellbeing and financial security are deeply interconnected, and our holistic approach addresses these areas together to achieve sustainable outcomes. By intervening early, we reduce the long-term personal and financial costs associated with crisis services, benefiting individuals, communities and public systems at a time when resources are increasingly stretched.
At a community level, lasting change is achieved through the vital role of charities working alongside local authorities and partner organisations, using a multi-agency approach led by the principles of Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to deliver effective, coordinated support. This joined-up way of working is crucial, as more people face the combined pressures of insecure housing, poor mental health and financial instability as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
One person who understands the importance of early intervention is Andy*. In and out of prison since his teens, Andy left prison for the last time with a determination to change, but he found himself with nowhere to go. Without current employment and the rising cost of housing making it increasingly difficult to secure somewhere affordable, Andy’s situation could have quickly escalated into a crisis.
Raising his concern with his probation officer, Andy was put in touch with P3, where he was offered emergency accommodation for that night and later a long-term room at The Gables in Warwickshire, where he was also supported with budgeting advice to help him manage his finances and work towards independence.
Andy laughs that “P3 gave me my first Christmas dinner since I was 20. If the food doesn’t keep you out of prison, nothing will!” Jokes aside, Andy said it was actually the community spirit of The Gables that made Christmas that year so special. At a time when many people are facing food insecurity and social isolation due to rising living costs, this sense of belonging played a vital role in Andy’s recovery.
The Gables supported Andy with life skills as well as safe, secure accommodation. For him, what was most needed was help to attend medical appointments and make healthier lifestyle choices, reducing the risk of further costs associated with crisis health or justice services. P3’s support provided a foundation for Andy to rebuild his life, and he says it’s the skills they have given him to cope that have been most valuable to his future. He remembers the day his P3 Support Worker Liz “knocked on my door and said ‘I’ve got a flat for you!’” A memory he says he carries with him through the tough days.
Once Andy moved into his own flat, he decided to put everything he could into making it a place to call home. His highlight, he says, was “feeling safe here.” With housing costs continuing to rise, having a secure and affordable home has been central to Andy’s stability. He remarks that his key motivation was showing to himself, as well as the people at P3 who supported him, that he could stay out of prison and lead a drug-free life: the thing, he says, that got him “into bother in the first place.”
Though Andy attributes much of his recovery to P3, his success is formed from the hard work and dedication he’s put into breaking an addiction and leading a healthier life. These positive changes have allowed him to look towards a future with better health and greater financial stability and to make the most of life’s small wins. His focus of “just keeping this happiness” sits at the heart of a new lifestyle built on security, resilience and hope during challenging economic times.
*Name changed to protect anonymity
Rising rents, energy bills and everyday costs are pushing more people into financial hardship and housing insecurity. Together, we can help prevent a housing crisis by doing small things to help vulnerable people in our community.
Ask for help early to prevent debt, eviction or homelessness if you’re struggling with rising costs. At P3 Charity we offer practical, non-judgemental support to help you navigate this challenging time and find a way forward.
Get help with housing and bills by clicking the button below. Alternatively, you can also contact your local authority for housing support.
Statistics provided by Shelter and Crisis.
