Housing Summit

When people take on a social tenancy, many are handed an empty box and must find the money for carpets, furniture and essential appliances such as a cooker and fridge. These are necessities, but the cost of providing them can be overwhelming for those with very little.

This month I hosted a Housing Summit in Truro with social housing providers from across Cornwall, advice services, charities and campaign groups to discuss how to tackle furniture poverty and reduce the costs people face when starting a new social tenancy.

There are charities in Cornwall, such as Hidden Help and Acts 435, that help people experiencing furniture poverty, but this is not enough to fill the gaps.

The Government has allocated £8.25 million to Cornwall Council through the Crisis and Resilience Fund in 2026–27 to support households facing financial hardship. I have written to Cornwall Council asking it to review the criteria for payments from this fund to ensure it covers people experiencing dire furniture poverty at the start of a tenancy.

I will also keep pressing this issue in Parliament, including making the case for floor coverings to be recognised within the Decent Homes Standard.