Furniture Poverty

A house without furniture isn’t a home. It’s empty and cold and a miserable place to be.

At Furniture Bank, we are working to create communities where we all belong – and create a world where everyone has the dignity of a furnished home.

What is furniture poverty?

When someone doesn’t have the means to procure a bed, or a table, or a couch, or other home essentials, they are living in furniture poverty.

Without a bed, children sleep on piles of clothes on the floor.

Without a table, families eat their meals on milk crates. 

Empty housing is not a home.

Furniture poverty has devastating effects on mental and physical health, and often results in people returning to crisis.

There are harmful physical, emotional, and financial consequences of furniture poverty.

Furniture poverty is a continuum:
  • Furniture Insecurity: A household has the items they need for now. If something essential breaks or needs replacing, they do not have the means to do so. These households are often moving from one crisis to another.
  • Furniture Destitution: Where a household has none or very few of the basic items needed. In a long-term, chronic situation.

Learn more about furniture poverty and its effects >

Who we support

DEMOGRAPHICS

20152016201720182019

2020

2021

TOTAL Individuals supported7,75810,73310,0359,7739,410

5,484

4,216

TOTAL Families supported3,2543,9963,9273,6703,800

2,341

2,143

ADULTS4,9066,8306,6465,6925,910

3,434

2,894

CHILDREN2,8533,8973,8313,9423,514

2,046

1,322

WOMEN4,1025,5265,4495,7655,629

2,892

2,224

Read about Furniture Bank's impact on furniture poverty:

Have furniture you want to donate?

Have furniture and housewares that you want to donate? Simply book a drop off appointment. Don’t have the time or ability to drop off your furniture? We’ll pick it up for you! Click the button below and fill out the form to schedule your pickup or drop-off!