'There's only so many rejections a person can take' - housing crisis in the South West
Watch video report by ITV West Country's Marina Jenkins
As many as 1.5 million people in the West Country are affected by the housing emergency, according to a report published by Shelter.
The charity says discrimination in the housing sector is rife - with race, disability, sexuality and socio-economic status all barriers to securing a safe home to live in.
For example, the report says people from an ethnic minority background are 70% more likely to be impacted than people who are white.
Tamatha-Ann Lovet is one of many who have faced significant barriers when trying to find a place to live.
She says she was forced to move into substandard accommodation where she felt "very unsafe".
Tamatha-Ann told ITV News West Country she was rejected by 28 landlords and estate agents.
"There aren't very many options and you're left sacrificing. There's only so many rejections a person can take," she explained.
Shelter says the pandemic has worsened the experience of many looking to rent or buy a property.
What is Shelter's solution?
Shelter says the lack of regulation means private renters have to navigate sky-high rents, poor conditions and threat of unfair evictions.
It says these problems are compounded by a welfare system which, according to the charity, fails to properly support people when they are struggling.
The charity says "we must demand better conditions, fight racism and discrimination, end unfair evictions and reform housing benefit."
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