Hoarding disorder, formally classified as a mental health condition by the World Health Organization in 2018, has become an increasingly significant issue across the United Kingdom. Fire services have documented a 78% increase in fires involving hoarding or dangerous excessive storage since 2020, with fire brigades identifying thousands of properties as high-risk. In London alone, more than 2,000 properties were flagged by the fire service last year due to hoarding levels, compared to 1,200 four years earlier.
People experiencing hoarding often avoid seeking help due to fears of eviction and loss of housing. Many report limited availability of support services and considerable stigma surrounding the condition, even among mental health professionals. Individuals with hoarding disorder frequently live in unsafe conditions without basic amenities such as heating, hot water, and cooking facilities, as they are reluctant to allow repair workers into their homes. Television programming depicting hoarding has intensified the stigma, with affected individuals reporting that public perception trivializes and mocks the condition.
In response to these challenges, housing providers and support organizations are shifting their approach. Prima Group housing association has launched a national hoarding pledge encouraging housing providers to work collaboratively with residents and connect them with mental health support rather than pursuing costly enforced clearances or eviction proceedings. Research from the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services indicates that almost 100% of people who undergo property clearance without behavioral therapy regress to hoarding behavior more rapidly. Support organizations emphasize that enforced clearances and evictions increase hoarding behaviors and erode trust in professionals who could provide assistance.
Peer support groups, such as Bringing Hoarders Together, a fortnightly session in Wirral, Merseyside, provide safe spaces for individuals to discuss their experiences and receive support from others facing similar challenges. Experts working with hoarders report that long-term solutions addressing underlying trauma and mental health needs are more effective than short-term interventions. Housing officers who build trust with residents and allow them to proceed at their own pace have demonstrated success in supporting individuals toward recovery and safer living conditions.
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