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: The social housing overcrowding scandal
Years of underinvestment in social housing has resulted in chronic levels of overcrowding in the social rented sector. New research from Shelter has revealed the extent of this crisis:1.5 million people are living in overcrowded social homes today –an increase of more than 40% in just five years. We will not end the housing emergency without building much more social housing.
Published: 27 July 2021
200,000 hit by the benefit cap
Shelter analysis shows that 200,000 households across Britain are now benefit capped, 83% of whom are families with children.
Published: 28 June 2021
Briefing: Opposition Day Debate on Planning
Last year, the government promised that reforms to the planning system will lead to the delivery of “at least” as much affordable housing. However, over the last five years social homebuilding has averaged less than 6,500 homes a year, which is less than 10% of the amount that is needed. Delivering “at least” as many social homes is simply not good enough - and any reforms to the planning system must increase supply of social housing in order to end the housing emergency for good.
Published: 21 June 2021
Briefing: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
It is Shelter’s view that given the risk of criminalisation of homeless people – and wider concerns with Part 3 of the Bill – the government should not proceed with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. However, should the government take this Bill forward, urgent clarification is needed around the intent of the powers contained within Part 4 to ensure homeless people are not criminalised.
Published: 8 June 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report, which we hope you find useful. New-born babies are breathing in toxic mould from unfit houses. Younger people are struggling to make ends meet in dangerous flats. People are denied a place to rent simply because they’re gay, disabled or Black. And there are many others who’ve been forced to sleep on the streets – with no place to go to, no one to turn to and no hope for the future. The housing emergency is ruining lives. We want to work to make sure these findings are heard and acted upon.
Published: 26 May 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: North East Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report for the North East region, which we hope you find useful. New-born babies are breathing in toxic mould from unfit houses. Younger people are struggling to make ends meet in dangerous flats. People are denied a place to rent simply because they’re gay, disabled or Black. And there are many others who’ve been forced to sleep on the streets – with no place to go to, no one to turn to and no hope for the future. The housing emergency is ruining lives. We want to work to make sure these findings are heard and acted upon.
Published: 26 May 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: North West Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report for the North West region, which we hope you find useful. New-born babies are breathing in toxic mould from unfit houses. Younger people are struggling to make ends meet in dangerous flats. People are denied a place to rent simply because they’re gay, disabled or Black. And there are many others who’ve been forced to sleep on the streets – with no place to go to, no one to turn to and no hope for the future. The housing emergency is ruining lives. We want to work to make sure these findings are heard and acted upon.
Published: 26 May 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: West Midlands Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report for the West Midlands region, which we hope you find useful. New-born babies are breathing in toxic mould from unfit houses. Younger people are struggling to make ends meet in dangerous flats. People are denied a place to rent simply because they’re gay, disabled or Black. And there are many others who’ve been forced to sleep on the streets – with no place to go to, no one to turn to and no hope for the future. The housing emergency is ruining lives. We want to work to make sure these findings are heard and acted upon.
Published: 26 May 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: London Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report for the London region, which we hope you find useful. New-born babies are breathing in toxic mould from unfit houses. Younger people are struggling to make ends meet in dangerous flats. People are denied a place to rent simply because they’re gay, disabled or Black. And there are many others who’ve been forced to sleep on the streets – with no place to go to, no one to turn to and no hope for the future. The housing emergency is ruining lives. We want to work to make sure these findings are heard and acted upon.
Published: 26 May 2021
Denied The Right To A Safe Home: East Midlands Factsheet
At Shelter, we know that the housing emergency is tearing lives apart. In every city, in every town, in every village, every single day, people are living without safe, secure or stable homes. Today we have launched a new report that shows the scale of the national housing emergency. Built upon a comprehensive survey of 13,000 people throughout the UK, it looks at just how many people are trapped in the housing emergency and the different ways it affects their lives. This is a summary of the report for the East Midlands region, which we hope you find useful.
Published: 26 May 2021