Research and campaigns: the housing crisis doesn’t take a holiday
As the summer holidays continue, our focus on key issues affecting our community has not taken a break. The right to a safe, secure and affordable home remains our top priority. (3 minutes)
Victoria Wan is a Research & Campaigns Volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Our recent work has highlighted the housing crisis from two angles:
- we shared client stories exposing the daily stress and health risks of living with mould and disrepair in social housing
- in our latest research we uncovered how private renters are being priced out of the market.
Just 1.4% of local rentals in the first half of 2025 were affordable for those relying on housing benefits. The frozen Local Housing Allowance is creating huge monthly shortfalls leaving families with no alternative but cutting back on other essentials.
These findings reveal a system that is failing vulnerable residents.
We will use the research to brief policymakers including our MP and advocate for urgent improvement in both the quality and affordability of local housing. We remain committed to fighting for fairer policies that protect the most vulnerable.
The research and campaigns team hopes all CAEE stakeholders and supporters have a pleasant summer break.