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.
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
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
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage
The Renters' Rights Bill is a watershed moment for England's 11 million renters. However, we need MPs to support 4 key amendments to make the bill as strong as possible for renters
Published: 8 January 2025
Briefing: Investment in social housing: the sustainable solution to child poverty
Shelter briefing to the Child Poverty Taskforce. The housing emergency facing the country is one of the key drivers of child poverty: more than a million children in the UK are growing up in poverty due to the cost of their family’s rent. If the government is serious about eradicating child poverty, then it must urgently address the record number of children homeless in expensive and damaging temporary accommodation
Published: 3 January 2025
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment NC11 (guarantors)
This amendment seeks to strengthen protection for tenants against discrimination by restricting the circumstances in which a landlord can legitimately request a guarantor
Published: 2 January 2025
Homelessness in England 2024
Homelessness is on the rise across England. This research report sets out new analysis on how many people are homeless, and where homelessness is most acute.
Published: 11 December 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment 9 (rent stabilisation)
A third (34%) of private renters are paying half or more of their income on rent; well beyond the 30% that is commonly regarded as the upper limit of 'affordable'. Alarmingly, 29% say they could not afford any rent increase at all, while a further 24% say they would need to cut back on essential spending, fall behind on bills or need to borrow money. This amendment (9) introduces measures to stabilise rents during tenancies which would ensure the government can meet its commitment of delivering greater security for renters in England, as well as empowering tenants to challenge unfair rent increases. – as well as empowering tenants to challenge unfair rent increases.
Published: 28 November 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment 7 (national landlord register)
The private rented sector in England suffers from a lack of transparency in local rental markets. While the Renters’ Rights Bill introduces the framework and legislative powers to establish a Private Rented Sector Database, its effectiveness hinges on the database being comprehensive, detailed and current. A fully functioning, detailed database has the potential to drive up standards in private renting and ensure the rights and regulations in the Bill are implemented effectively.
Published: 27 November 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment NC3 (rent in advance)
Many tenants are asked to pay rent upfront at the beginning of their tenancy, creating a significant barrier to finding a privately rented home. 59% of private renters reported having to pay rent in advance to secure a property, with some facing demands for 6 months or more upfront. This has proved an impossible challenge for 835,000 tenants, who said the demand prevented them from securing a property in the last 5 years.
Published: 20 November 2024