Briefing: Take action on unfit, unsafe and unaffordable housing in the Queen's Speech
Shelter is calling for the government to bring forward three crucial bills in this year's Queen's Speech, to build social housing, fix private renting and bolster regulation in the social rented sector.
Across the country, unfit and unsafe housing is holding us back. Private renters are living in mouldy homes, fearing eviction if they complain to their landlord. Social renters are being ignored by their landlords who are failing to keep their homes safe. And children are growing up in temporary accommodation, sharing one tiny room with their family, with no hope of moving to a secure home as social housebuilding stalls.
Levelling up will mean nothing unless housing is at the heart of the government’s plans. When the government sets out its policy priorities in the Queen’s Speech, it must use it as a moment to commit to real change by:
Using the levelling up bill to build a new generation of good quality social homes
Fixing private renting with the Renters' Reform Bill
Bolstering regulation in the social rented sector with a robust social housing bill
With these changes, the government can make strides towards ending the housing emergency for good: by ensuring every social and private renter has a safe, secure roof over their heads, and more routes to challenge problems when things go wrong.