Charity says one in five struggling with rent or mortgage

A survey carried out by a housing and homeless charity has found one in five people in the south east are 'constantly struggling' with their rent or mortgage.

Research by Shelter in conjunction with YouGov found a rise of 15 per cent in December 2011 to 20 per cent in December 2012.

They say it means more than a million people across the region are starting 2013 facing a 'monthly battle to keep a roof over their heads'.

Nationally the survey found a 44 per cent increase in people constantly struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, with 7.8 million now in that position.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said it was 'shocking' so many families will start the new year with a 'huge weight hanging over them, trapped in a daily struggle to keep their home'.

Shelter said as austerity measures start to bite this year more people already feeling the squeeze could be at risk of homelessness.

Visit www.shelter.org.uk for more details.