BBC Breakfast highlights lack of flooring in social housing

Posted on 9th October 2025

A group photo, left to right of Aileen Edmunds, Longleigh Foundation CEO; Claire Donovan, End Furniture Poverty Director; Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, BBC Breakfast Presenters sat around a table in the BBC studio — (L-R) Aileen Edmunds, Longleigh Foundation CEO; Claire Donovan, End Furniture Poverty Director; Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, BBC Breakfast Presenters.

Longleigh Foundation appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the lack of flooring in social housing and why it matters. The programme brought a lived-in perspective to a problem that often goes unnoticed.

Research into flooring in social housing

Our research last year, produced with Altair, shows that hundreds of thousands of adults in social homes move in without floor coverings. Consequently, they face cold, noise, and safety risks.

The report estimates around 760,000 adults could be affected. In addition, almost four in five relets include partial or no floor coverings.

Why flooring in social housing matters to residents

Flooring is not a luxury. For people on tight budgets, buying new carpets or coverings is a heavy one-off cost that can push other essential spending out of reach. Therefore, our grant officers often help families replace or provide flooring through our individual grants. Early data from our grants also shows how small, targeted support can improve daily life.

For example, one tenant from our focus group explained how missing flooring affected their home life:

“I only brought my guests into the kitchen, not the living room. I only let my friends go into the living room four months after I moved in because then I had laminate and rugs down.”

This example shows that flooring affects more than warmth and safety. It also supports dignity, a sense of home, and the ability to welcome others.

Flooring and the future of the Decent Homes Standard

Currently, the government’s consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard asks whether floor coverings should be a basic expectation for new tenancies. Our research appears in the consultation and its impact assessment.

We will continue to work with residents, housing providers, and policymakers to create practical solutions. For instance, phased rollouts, reuse programmes, and targeted grants can help households in greatest need. You can read the full report for further findings and recommendations.