This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27015809

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Shelter says 4m families 'on financial knife-edge' Shelter says 4m families 'on financial knife-edge'
(about 9 hours later)
Some 3.8 million families are one month from homelessness because they have enough money to pay their rent or mortgage for only a month if they lose their jobs, a housing charity has said.Some 3.8 million families are one month from homelessness because they have enough money to pay their rent or mortgage for only a month if they lose their jobs, a housing charity has said.
Shelter, which surveyed 7,500 people, said high housing costs and stagnating wages meant many were living on a financial knife-edge.Shelter, which surveyed 7,500 people, said high housing costs and stagnating wages meant many were living on a financial knife-edge.
It wants the government to provide better short-term support.It wants the government to provide better short-term support.
The government said it already provides support in housing benefit.The government said it already provides support in housing benefit.
In a statement, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it spent £94bn a year on benefits to provide a safety net for millions of people who are on low incomes or unemployed.In a statement, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it spent £94bn a year on benefits to provide a safety net for millions of people who are on low incomes or unemployed.
This includes about £24bn a year on housing benefit which the DWP said had gone up by 50% over the past 10 years.This includes about £24bn a year on housing benefit which the DWP said had gone up by 50% over the past 10 years.
'Bad luck''Bad luck'
Shelter's findings were based on a YouGov survey of 7,500 adults who pay rent or a mortgage. It says 44% of working families with children under the age of 18 could be one paycheque away from losing their homes if they became unemployed because they have little or no savings.Shelter's findings were based on a YouGov survey of 7,500 adults who pay rent or a mortgage. It says 44% of working families with children under the age of 18 could be one paycheque away from losing their homes if they became unemployed because they have little or no savings.
Its researchers also found that 29% of families would immediately be unable to afford to pay for their home if they lost their income.Its researchers also found that 29% of families would immediately be unable to afford to pay for their home if they lost their income.
Liz Clare, a helpline adviser at Shelter, said: "Every day we see the proof that just one piece of bad luck, like a sudden job loss or illness, could tip any of us into a spiral that puts the family home at risk.Liz Clare, a helpline adviser at Shelter, said: "Every day we see the proof that just one piece of bad luck, like a sudden job loss or illness, could tip any of us into a spiral that puts the family home at risk.
"Sky-high housing costs and stagnating wages mean that saving is becoming a thing of the past for many people. Most of us simply don't have enough money in the bank that we can rely on for long enough to get back on our feet.""Sky-high housing costs and stagnating wages mean that saving is becoming a thing of the past for many people. Most of us simply don't have enough money in the bank that we can rely on for long enough to get back on our feet."
Citizens Advice said it has seen a 16% rise in social housing rent arrears last year and a big jump in repossession warnings.Citizens Advice said it has seen a 16% rise in social housing rent arrears last year and a big jump in repossession warnings.
It said changes to housing benefit and Council Tax support had made life even more difficult for people.It said changes to housing benefit and Council Tax support had made life even more difficult for people.
Do you agree with the findings of this survey? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Shelter survey'.