Record numbers of UK renters crowdfunding to cover bills

"A record number of people in the UK are turning to crowdfunding to cover rent and household bills, with GoFundMe reporting more rent-related fundraisers were created in April than in any month on record. The platform said donations towards rent support had risen by 60% since 2022, with more than 100,000 people a month contributing to help others meet their housing costs."

"We have seen a remarkable surge in people turning to GoFundMe for help keeping a roof over their heads, a spokesperson said. Every donation is a sign that when someone finds the courage to ask for help, their community shows up for them."

"Andrew Foster, 51, turned to GoFundMe after his landlord in Derby raised his rent by 50%, an increase he was unable to afford and which forced him to move. Foster makes and sells miniature figurines, but his income fell by 40% after Brexit curtailed his ability to sell abroad. He is also a full-time carer for his wife, who has complex mental health conditions, and had to give up work."

"The only way I could find the funds to cover the move was to turn to GoFundMe, although I had to take out a loan as well, he said. I just felt I didn't have a choice. I couldn't borrow the amount of money that I needed from friends or family. It was very much throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. I didn't really expect anything to come of it."

GoFundMe reports a record surge in UK crowdfunding for rent and household bills, with April seeing the highest number of rent-related fundraisers on record. Donations toward rent support have increased by 60% since 2022, and more than 100,000 people each month contribute to help others meet housing costs. Andrew Foster, 51, used GoFundMe after a 50% rent increase forced him to move from Derby. His income fell by 40% after Brexit reduced his ability to sell abroad, and he became a full-time carer for his wife after she developed complex mental health conditions. He combined crowdfunding with a loan because he could not borrow enough from friends or family. The fundraiser succeeded, and he later used sporadic fundraising to cover one-off expenses like car maintenance and loan repayments.

Read at www.theguardian.com