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Fri, 10 Apr 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 Furniture poverty on the rise, charity says

The Harrogate-based charity warns donations of furniture are falling while demand continues to grow.
A North Yorkshire charity called Essential Needs has seen a significant increase in demand for its services, which provide affordable second-hand furniture and household items to those in need. The charity helps people who are struggling with furniture poverty, defined as lacking essential items such as adequate clothing, heating, and a safe home. According to the charity's manager Lee Wright, many of their customers are unable to afford new furniture due to high prices, and some have even been forced to sleep on cold floors without carpets. The charity has received an average of 10-15 new customers per week over the past year, and donations have dried up in recent months, but demand remains high. Wright attributes this to the ongoing cost of living crisis, which has left many people struggling to make ends meet. Another Harrogate-based charity, Lifeline, has been working with Essential Needs to furnish accommodation for homeless and vulnerable people, and customers have praised the charity as a "lifeline" in difficult times.