Cornwall is in the midst of a housing crisis. Housing supply for local people is being massively squeezed by the prevalence of second home ownership and properties being purchased for use as holiday accommodation. The growth of online holiday lettings has led to a shift in the rental market with a reduction in long term tenancy availability for local people.

In the last twelve months, over 8,000 households approached the local authority in Cornwall for help with housing.  Some approaches are relatively low key but others represent emergencies.  Not everyone is entitled to support.  3,209 households received support from the local authority last year with either homelessness prevention or temporary accommodation.

There are over 500 households and over 1,000 people in temporary accommodation in the county. The waiting list for social housing was 11,866 households at its last count, which represents over 4% of households.

A sudden increase in pressure - like losing work - can push people into homelessness

There is little data available on the number of people who live in precarious housing situations or who are sofa surfing. However, we know that of those who applied for help to the local authority, 582 stated that family or friends were no longer willing or able to accommodate them. We believe that there is a significant number of people vulnerably housed in Cornwall.

The difference we make: 2020 outcomes