Furniture Bank’s Homing Program supports families and individuals experiencing furniture poverty, including women and children leaving shelters, people transitioning from homelessness, and newcomers and refugees to Canada. Individuals and families receive free furniture and other support through referral from a social service agency and by visiting the showroom in Etobicoke. FB provides a one-stop-shop service for furniture and household needs, including delivery to clients’ homes in 1-2 business days following their showroom visit.
In early 2024, Furniture Bank initiated a project to better understand client needs and demand for specific donated items. The goal is to develop a list of essential furniture items for individuals setting up a new home in the Toronto/GTA area who are in need of furniture. This list will reflect items currently collected and offered by Furniture Bank and focus on ensuring a functional living space. The project is inspired by End Furniture Poverty’s “Essential Items Report,” which identifies key items needed to maintain a “normal” standard of living in the UK.
This project aims to inform Furniture Bank’s work and benefit the housing sector in Canada, particularly in the Toronto/GTA area.
The analysis presented here is based on consultations with multiple stakeholders, including social service agencies and clients, as well as Furniture Bank’s item delivery data from 2018 to 2023.
What does Furniture Bank’s data say?
Each item delivered by Furniture Bank between 2018 and 2023 was categorized using the classifications from End Furniture Poverty’s Essential Items Report. An additional category, “Desks and Office Chairs,” was created by combining “Other – desk” and “Other – office chair.” The top 10 item groups delivered in 2023 are shown below.
| TOP 10 ITEM GROUPS DELIVERED IN 2023 | |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Dining table and chairs |
|
2 |
Sofa and/or easy chair for all members of the household |
|
3 |
Mattress for all members of the household |
|
4 |
Side/ end/ coffee tables |
|
5 |
Kitchen items (cutlery, dishes, pots, pans, etc.) |
|
6 |
Bed base/frame for all members of the household |
|
7 |
Other-picture (art) |
|
8 |
Wardrobe/ Dresser |
|
9 |
Other-Lamp |
|
10 |
Living room storage |
When comparing the top 10 items delivered in 2023 to the overall highest number of items in each category from 2018 to 2023, only one additional category, “Table – night,” would need to be included. This indicates that the availability of these items has remained relatively consistent over the past few years.
While the number of items delivered provides a good indication of what clients need to furnish their spaces, it is largely influenced by what is available through donations. To better understand what is truly essential and what might be missing despite being necessary, two key stakeholder groups were surveyed: staff of social service agencies (such as shelters, street outreach providers, housing providers, and follow-up support services) and Furniture Bank clients who are the direct beneficiaries of furniture provision. Essential Furniture
Perspectives from Social Service Agencies
In June 2024, Toronto Shelter and Support Services (formerly SSHA) of the City of Toronto facilitated data collection by surveying 52 managers, frontline workers, and follow-up workers at social service agencies. They were asked to rate the importance of various furniture items on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being ‘not essential at all’ and 5 being ‘absolutely essential.’ The items deemed most essential by social service agency staff, based on their average scores, are as follows:
| TOP 10 ESSENTIAL ITEM GROUPS RATED BY SOCIAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES | |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Mattress for all members of the household |
|
2 |
Kitchen items (cutlery, dishes, pots, pans, etc.) |
|
3 |
Bed base/ frame for all members of the household |
|
4 |
Refrigerator |
|
5 |
Bedding for all members of the household |
|
6 |
Sofa and/or easy chair for all members of the household |
|
7 |
Microwave |
|
8 |
Dining table and chairs |
|
9 |
Oven |
|
10 |
Bathroom items (towels, shower curtains, bathmat, etc.) |
The items rated as essential by social service agencies largely overlap with the top items delivered by Furniture Bank, but also include smaller item groups and linens, such as bedding and towels. Some items, like ovens and refrigerators, which are typically provided in rental units, were also included in the list for rating. While many respondents considered these items highly essential, they noted they should be excluded from the list since they are usually supplied through other means. Electronics, such as TVs and computers, along with décor items like carpets, side tables, and coffee tables, were more divisive, with respondents split on their importance. Essential Furniture
What is missing – Client’s perspective?
After visiting the Furniture Bank warehouse, clients were surveyed to determine whether they found everything they needed. Of the 419 responses collected between June and August 2024, 90% of clients reported finding what they were looking for. Those who couldn’t were asked to specify which essential items were missing. Below are the top items clients were unable to find during their visit: Essential Furniture
| TOP ITEMS FURNITURE BANK CUSTOMERS SAID WERE MISSING | |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Bed base/ Frame for all members of the household |
|
2 |
TV |
|
3 |
Wardrobe/Dresser |
|
4 |
Small Appliances (blender, vacuum, microwave) |
|
5 |
Sofa and/ or easy chair for all members of the household |
|
6 |
Dining table and chairs |
|
7 |
Living room storage |
|
8 |
Desk and office chairs |
The items listed above represent those that at least 5% of clients, who couldn’t find everything they needed, reported as missing. Nearly one-third of respondents noted a shortage of bed bases/frames for all household members and TVs. Between 5% and 7% of clients were unable to find sofas or easy chairs for all household members, dining tables and chairs, living room storage, or desks and office chairs.
When social service agency staff were asked about difficult-to-access items, bed frames and mattresses were most frequently mentioned. Smaller items, such as shelves, bins, and lamps, were also noted as hard to find. Essential Furniture
Barriers to accessing essential items
Social service agency staff identified several barriers to helping clients access essential items. The top barriers included the following:
- lack of economic resources (56%),
- limited availability of needed items (44%), including access to organizations like Furniture Bank in their areas, and
- difficulty in arranging transportation for items (31%).
Future trends
When asked if essential items might change over the next five years, 46% of social service agency staff predicted no significant shifts. However, those who foresaw changes highlighted an increasing need for electronics, such as computers, and a general rise in demand for essential items. Some also suggested that changes in housing design may impact the types of items required to furnish homes. Essential Furniture
Top 10 essential items
Based on the top-delivered items from 2018 to 2023, the most essential items identified by social service agency staff, and the items Furniture Bank clients could not find, the following list was compiled. In no particular order, the most essential items include:
| TOP 10 ESSENTIAL ITEM GROUPs COMBINED | |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Mattress for all members of the household |
|
2 |
Bed base/ Frame for all members of the household |
|
3 |
Bedding for all members of the household |
|
4 |
Sofa and/ or easy chair for all members of the household |
|
5 |
Dining table and chairs |
|
6 |
Kitchen items (cutlery, dishes, pots, pans etc.) |
|
7 |
Bathroom items (towels, shower curtain, bathmat, etc.) |
|
8 |
Living room storage |
|
9 |
Wardrobe/dresser |
|
10 |
TVs |
In addition to the item groups listed above, there is a noted demand for additional furnishings, including side tables, end tables, coffee tables, desks and office chairs, various types of lamps, and microwaves. Essential Furniture
Comparing to UK top 10 essential items
As part of their research, End Furniture Poverty in the UK asked survey respondents to rank items on a scale from “1: not essential at all” to “5: absolutely essential.” Below are the top 10 items, ranked by their highest average scores.
| END FURNITURE POVERTY'S TOP 10 ESSENTIAL ITEM LIST | |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Mattress |
|
2 |
Refrigerator |
|
3 |
Cooker/hob |
|
4 |
Bedding |
|
5 |
Bed base |
|
6 |
Oven |
|
7 |
Curtains in bedroom |
|
8 |
Sofa/ Easy chair |
|
9 |
Curtains in living room |
|
10 |
Washing machine |
The main overlap between the UK list and the item rankings from Furniture Bank’s surveys and data, are the requirements for a bed frame, mattress, and bedding for all household members. However, one key difference is that in the UK, curtains—specifically for the bedroom and living room—are considered essential.
Similarly to social services workers’ surveys, kitchen appliances for storing and preparing food are rated as highly important. These items, such as fridges and stovetops, were not prioritized by Furniture Bank’s clients, likely because they are typically included in rental apartments in Canada.
Looking further down the UK list, after large appliances, carpets for the bedroom and living room, as well as carpets and curtains for other rooms, were highlighted. This differs significantly from Furniture Bank’s top 10 list, where dining tables and chairs, kitchen and bathroom essentials, and storage solutions were prioritized. In the UK list, dining tables and chairs ranked low, just above TVs.
While there are clear cultural differences between the two lists, there are also notable similarities—such as the essential need for proper beds and bedding, and the importance of food storage and preparation. Additionally, in feedback similar to that collected from social service workers by Furniture Bank, UK respondents identified finances, transportation, and availability as key barriers to accessing essential items. Both groups also shared the expectation that these top essential items would remain consistent in the coming years.
In conclusion
Essential household items can vary significantly based on geographic, cultural, and technological factors. For example, rented apartments in Canada typically include a fridge and stove, while access to technology, like computers, has become increasingly necessary. Individual preferences also play a role, such as the need for a microwave for meal preparation.
Furniture Bank’s deliveries align well with client needs, with 90% of clients receiving what they sought. Large appliances are often provided in rental units, allowing Furniture Bank to focus on other essential items, which largely match the priorities identified by social service agencies. However, certain non-furniture essentials, like bedding, towels, shower curtains, and bath mats, are not commonly delivered but are frequently requested by agencies.
Key essential items like bed bases and mattresses were consistently difficult to access, according to agencies. Furniture Bank has prioritized these items, with delivery numbers significantly increasing from 2018 to 2023, doubling overall. Interestingly, while the number of mattresses delivered has nearly doubled compared to bed bases, 34% of clients still reported being unable to find a bed frame.
TVs and computers were divisive in terms of necessity, but both social service agencies and clients predict increased demand for these items in the future. TVs, in particular, were one of the most requested items, with 32% of clients who couldn’t find everything they needed seeking a TV.
This comprehensive project and analysis have provided Furniture Bank with invaluable insights to develop an up-to-date essential items list tailored to the Canadian context. By combining delivery data, stakeholder surveys, and client feedback, Furniture Bank has gained a nuanced understanding of the evolving needs of individuals setting up new homes in the Toronto/GTA area. Moving forward, Furniture Bank will maintain the relevance of this list by implementing a system of regular data review and stakeholder consultations as a part of its impact measurement and management efforts. This approach will allow for continuous refinement of the essential items list, ensuring it remains responsive to changing societal needs, technological advancements, and shifts in housing trends. By staying attuned to these factors, Furniture Bank will be well-positioned to adapt its services and continue providing crucial support to those in need of furnishing their living spaces.
This analysis and the resulting essential items list will significantly benefit the housing sector in Canada, particularly in the Toronto/GTA area. By providing a data-driven and stakeholder-informed inventory of crucial furnishings, housing providers and support organizations can better prepare for the needs of individuals transitioning into new homes.
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