Policy Library
Policy, research and good practice work forms a major part of Shelter's efforts to address and find solutions for homelessness and housing issues.
Briefing: affordable rent is not affordable
Affordable rent is in fact unaffordable in 42% of areas in England. The government must prioritise social rent homes, which are affordable virtually everywhere.
Published: 28 May 2025
Briefing: What happened with Scotland's rent stabilisation
Shelter briefing on the impact of limits to in-tenancy rent increases in Scotland.
Published: 6 May 2025
Briefing: future trends in temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation costs councils eyewatering sums. New Shelter analysis estimates the scale and cost of the temporary accommodation emergency in 2029.
Published: 29 April 2025
Access to Shelter's Services for People of Colour
Shelter's services aim to be accessible to all. This research, led by equalities agency brap, looks at access to our services in England for People of Colour. The findings set out how we can continue to shape our services to ensure equity.
Published: 24 April 2025
Briefings: Renters' Rights Bill Committee Stage, House of Lords
Shelter's briefings for Committee Stage in the House of Lords set out the key changes needed to strengthen the Renters’ Rights Bill. They focus on priority areas including affordability, discrimination, the private rented sector database, and relevant amendments. These improvements are essential to ensure the Bill delivers meaningful protections for renters.
Published: 15 April 2025
Safe as Houses: Why Investment in Social Housing is Great for Us and Our Economy
Ahead of the June Spending Review, leading experts and economists reveal how social housing investment boosts the economy and strengthens the labour market.
Published: 31 March 2025
Open Letter: Economists Call on UK Chancellor to Invest in Social Housing
Leading economists urge UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves to significantly increase social housing investment ahead of the Spending Review on 11 June.
Published: 20 March 2025
Latest government homelessness statistics: Record-high numbers of children growing up homeless in temporary accommodation
Shelter's briefing in response to the latest government homelessness statistics, that paint a grim picture of the worsening housing emergency across England.
Published: 27 February 2025
Shelter Spending Review 2025 Representation
The government must commit to mass scale investment in social rent homes in the successor to the Affordable Homes Programme at the upcoming Spending Review.
Published: 7 February 2025
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Second Reading, House of Lords
The Renters' Rights Bill is a crucial moment for England's 11 million private renters. As the Bill moves from the House of Commons into the House of Lords, it currently represents a significant step in the right direction. However, there are loopholes remaining that will leave some tenants vulnerable to economic evictions, misuse of eviction grounds and discriminatory practices in the PRS. To truly deliver on promises made to renters, the Bill must go further to deliver genuine security for renters, end discrimination in the private rented sector and to ensure renters and local authorities have the tools to enforce tenants’ rights.
Published: 30 January 2025