A trial initiative that provides free furniture to people across Bath and North East Somerset in poverty has been extended for a further year to support more households and reduce social care costs.
Called Cosy Start, the scheme is run by Bath-headquartered housing association Curo and funded by city-based community charity St John’s Foundation and national social enterprise Fusion 21.
Last year the scheme paid for essential furnishings for 15 homes to combat the impact of furniture poverty.
A year on and all 15 households remain in their tenancies with zero rent arrears.
This compares with the average of 18% among Universal Credit new tenancies – a figure the organisations behind Cosy Start say highlights its positive impact on housing stability.
Moving into a new home can often affect individuals’ physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing – particularly those at a critical time of adjustment, such as fleeing domestic abuse or those who have resettled after being homeless.
David Hobdey, CEO of St John’s Foundation, which also provided £203,000 to more than 300 individuals and families through its Crisis Programme last year, said: “Behind the veneer of Bath and the surrounding area there are several thousand people living in poverty, including around 1,500 children.
“Moving into a property with no furniture can be socially isolating and lead residents to resort to debt which can quickly spiral and, ultimately, jeopardise the tenancy.
“Living without essential household appliances also significantly increases household bills, for example, by not having the means to cook or store fresh food.
“Removing this cause of stress has an extremely positive impact on individuals and families who are already coping with upheaval and adjusting to new circumstances.
“This is why we are very pleased to continue our funding for another year to support more households."
Furniture poverty is defined as the inability to access, or afford to buy or maintain, household furniture or appliances that are essential to achieving a socially acceptable standard of living.
Cosy Start helps those at greatest risk of furniture poverty such as refugees; care leavers; resettled homeless people and those fleeing domestic abuse, with funding covering essential items such as furniture and carpets, white goods and a welcome pack comprising of a kettle, toaster, crockery, saucepans and bedding.
Curo director of customer accounts and lettings Emma Owens said: “We’re delighted that the pilot has proved extremely successful and residents have been unanimous in their recommendations of the scheme.
“We now plan to expand our reach to further alleviate furniture poverty and assist more individuals in need, with the support of funding from our partners.
“Over time, we hope to make this a sustainable initiative that contributes to social and financial stability within the community without the need for external funding.”
Ahead of Cosy Start’s launch, a survey of 150 customers revealed significant need, with 69% saying they would benefit from the scheme and 51% stating they incurred debt through buying essential items.
Alarmingly, 34% reported having no furniture at all when they moving into their house, while 79% tried to get by without the essentials to live.
One response highlighted how important the scheme can be for those fleeing domestic violence as moving from a home where they had everything to one with nothing risks them returning to their abuser for the security of their family having a bed.
Oe person who was supported through the pilot participant said: “The items have given me a sense of freedom and increased independence because we're able to function normally and are less dependent on others.
“I worry less about money now because I can store food for longer, I don’t have to use the launderette and I don’t have as many takeaways.”
St John’s Foundation is an 850-year-old community-focused charity – the 11th oldest in England – providing almshouse accommodation and services to older adults in the community and support for individuals and families that have reached a point of crisis.
Curo, one of the South West’s largest housing associations with a portfolio of 13,000 homes, is best known in Bath for its flagship 700-home Mulberry Park development on former MoD land on the city’s outskirts.
