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.
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
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
Future of Social Housing Rent Policy Consultation December 2024
Shelter is concerned that rising rents could make social housing - which is meant to be the most affordable tenure - unaffordable for tenants. Shelter urges the government to set a 10-year rent policy that caps annual social rent increases at 3.22% to prevent significant financial impact on tenants while providing greater certainty and financial stability for registered providers.
Published: 24 December 2024