When housing support doesn't cover the rent, people are often left with an impossible decision: pay the landlord or buy food.
Nobody should have to decide between keeping a roof over their head and putting food on the table.
Yet our new research shows that the majority (58%) of private renters who receive housing support have gone without essentials in the past 6 months. And food banks are seeing first-hand how unaffordable housing is driving hardship.
This autumn, the Prime Minister has the chance to change that.
At the Budget, Andy Burnham can make sure housing support is brought back in line with local rents, helping more people afford a secure home and reducing the need for emergency food parcels.
We know that closing the gap between Local Housing Allowance and rents will make a difference.