Key findings of UNISON housing survey

The survey found that UNISON members across the UK were struggling with high housing costs, falling incomes during the pandemic, poor‑quality rented homes, and long, expensive commutes.

Many were financially stretched, some were in arrears or debt, and private renters in particular faced unsafe or poorly maintained housing. 

A significant number wanted to move closer to work but could not afford to, and many reported that adult children cannot afford to move out.

UNISON members would like government to:

• Do more to tackle the shortage of affordable homes (supported by 96% of members).
• Fund councils and housing associations to build 150,000 new social and genuinely affordable homes per year.
• Provide adequate funding for councils to house vulnerable people during and after the pandemic.
• End the five‑week wait for Universal Credit and housing benefit.
• Fund councils to take back sub‑standard private rented homes.
• Introduce fair rent legislation and limit rent increases in the private rented sector.
• Suspend evictions during the pandemic and give tenants longer to repay arrears.
• End the bedroom tax and repeal the two‑child limit.
• Raise Local Housing Allowance to cover average local rents.
• Scrap no‑fault evictions and introduce permanent, indefinite tenancies.
• End the benefit cap and lift size restrictions on housing benefit for private renters.