Women most likely to be impacted by COVID-19 social housing pressures

Women and single parents are most likely to be hit by COVID-19 pressures on social housing, according to a new study.

The study by researchers at the University of East Anglia found that women make up the majority of those in social housing and early evidence suggests the pandemic has hit them harder in the job market – particularly those on low incomes.

Moreover, lone parents are likely to lower their working hours with children being at home since the lockdown.

The researchers studied local authority data from Norfolk and London and found that out of low-income families, the percentage of children with lone parents in London is generally higher than in Norfolk.

In Barking & Dagenham, for example, there are many single parents and a large proportion of the population work in a struggling industry. As a result, many might struggle financially, and social housing demand may rise significantly.

However, Richmond upon Thames has very few single parents. With many also working in an industry that has not struggled so much throughout this period, there may be less added pressure on social housing.

In Norfolk, there is again variety across local authorities. Great Yarmouth has a much higher percentage of children in low-income families living with a lone parent compared to Broadland.

With many single parents working in a struggling industry in Great Yarmouth, social housing demand may increase disproportionately relative to the available supply, leaving many vulnerable.

Dr Emiliya Lazarova, associate professor in economics at UEA’s School of Economics, said: ‘COVID-19 has spread globally but its impact across industries, ethnicities, ages and genders has been felt very differently and we may see a widening of gender inequality.

‘The pandemic has had a big impact on female-dominated industries and with children at home requiring attention, women and lone parents have been faced with the greatest struggles. As schools reopen in September, there is urgent need for social housing. However, the rise in demand could vary across different local authorities.’

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