Keep Cornwall Carpeted Campaign Gains National Attention
Our Keep Cornwall Carpeted Campaign is increasingly gaining national media attention, underscoring the urgent need to address the removal of carpets in social housing across Cornwall.
This campaign aims to halt the unnecessary removal of carpets between tenancies and highlight the critical impact this issue has on our community.
In the last five weeks, the campaign was relayed by:
- BBC News: The BBC has shed light on how the removal of carpets is affecting residents in social housing, leading to increased demand for foodbanks. You can read the full article here.
- Premier Christian Radio: Premier Christian Radio has also covered our campaign, emphasizing the broader social implications and the urgent need for action. Their coverage can be found here.
Why This Matters
A survey by Resident Voice Index in summer 2023 found that over three quarter of social Housing tenants had no or partial floor coverings in their home at all when they moved in.
With 33,000 social housing properties across Cornwall, the absence of carpets from social housing units has far-reaching consequences for new tenants moving in.
By law, properties are only required to have floor coverings in kitchens and bathrooms, and most social housing providers require vacating tenants to pull up their carpets and flooring. Often, nails and staples are left protruding, increasing the risk of injuries for individuals and families. Carpets also provide essential insulation, helping to keep homes warm and reducing heating costs. Without them, properties become damp and mouldy, residents face higher energy bills and colder living conditions. This, in turn, leads to increased health issues and a greater reliance on foodbanks.
Zack, who rents a property in Falmouth, said: “My new flat had concrete floors covered in very thick dust when I moved in, and I didn’t realise just how much carpet would cost. I spent more than £1,000 - half of my savings - carpeting the property and spent four months on rations to pay off the debt.”
Julia*, who lives in St Austell, added: “You can hear every little noise through the floor boards. I'm dreading winter. It's going to be freezing.”
Another tenant, John* in Camborne, also described the shame and stigma: “I stopped letting people visit which made me even more isolated and lonely."
What Are We Asking
In January 2024, Wales passed a regulation that new social lets must come with flooring included. Sam Willians, Campaign and Community Organising Manager, said: “It does not make sense that people on the lowest incomes, sometimes those who had to flee domestic violence or overcame homelessness, are required to pay for carpeting their let. Through my work with foodbanks, I was astonished to find out how common it is for social housing tenants to live with exposed floors. We believe that everyone deserves a warm and safe home. Through this campaign, we want social housing providers in Cornwall to follow the example of the Welsh and provide carpets for new tenants.”
To Support the Campaign
We encourage everyone to get involved and support our campaign. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign on social media and with your networks. Follow @keepcornwallcarpeted on Instragram and Facebook
- Complete the Questionnaire: Social housing tenants affected can share their experiences anonymously to help us gather evidence by completing our form (see button below).
*Names have been changed.