A survey by the Local Government Association, Improvement and Development Agency and SOLACE found that more people are experiencing mental health problems, struggling to find a roof over their head and needing Housing Benefit to help make ends meet.
The survey of local authorities found that across the country - businesses, residents and public sector organisations are feeling the effects of the recession.
It shows that as the downturn bites, people are increasingly turning to local authorities and public services to help them through tough financial times.
The report finds a rise or an expected rise in:
The report shows a fall in:
Research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats found that the majority of councils wanted to give their tenants the widest possible choice of options when it comes to paying their rent and did not have any formal policies in place regarding the use of credit cards.
Of those councils that responded to the survey, only Gwynedd and Neath Port Talbot Councils did not accept any payments by credit card. Anglesey has recently changed its policy to start accepting credit payments later this year.
A stark finding of the survey is that Welsh local authorities have accepted more than £1.6 million of rent payments on credit cards from their tenants in the past five years.
Of concern to some is how few councils have policies in place to help those who are obviously struggling with their rent because they are routinely paying by credit card.
A Lib Dems spokesperson called for policies to be put in place, like those at Swansea Council, to refer people to specialist financial help agencies when needed.
New research by the National Aids Trust (NAT) finds that people living with HIV are struggling to cope with the impact of poor housing and many housing professionals have little understanding of HIV.
The NAT report, published in partnership with Shelter, reveals that many in the social housing sector remain unaware of the effect poor housing can have on the lives of people living with HIV. In some cases outright discrimination was identified.
There are now more than 80,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Research conducted in 2002 showed that over one out of five people living with HIV had experienced housing related problems in the previous year.
The report identifies that often decisions on the priority given to individuals with HIV for social housing are based on out-of date criteria, such as whether or not someone has an AIDS diagnosis or the presence of certain 'symptoms'.
This approach fails to address HIV as a recognised disability and a long-term condition which involves continuing vulnerability and very often fluctuating health.
Case studies throughout the report provide examples of how poor housing can seriously affect the health of someone with HIV.
NAT and Shelter will be producing best practice guidance for housing officers about HIV later in the year.
