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.
More than Bricks: Stories of Home
This research briefing summarises the key emerging findings from longitudinal interviews on the impact of moving into a social rent home.
Published: 3 July 2026
Briefing: the slow pace of social rent home delivery
This research briefing reveals very low delivery rates of social rent homes in local authorities across England despite the ongoing housing emergency
Published: 10 June 2026
Report: Shelter's contribution to the Renters' Rights Act
Sheila McKechnie Foundation's independent evaluation of Shelter's campaign for the Renters' Rights Act
Published: 11 May 2026
Briefing: Roadmap to the future of council homes
Shelter sets out 5 key changes the government must make to get councils building social rent homes.
Published: 7 April 2026
Shelter response to the National Planning Policy Framework Consultation (2025)
Shelter's response to the NPPF consultation launched in December 2025.
Published: 17 March 2026
Build Up Not Trickle Down: The Case for Need-Led Housing Policy
This paper sets out why a ‘trickle down’ approach to housing policy – prioritising private supply at the expense of social housing – cannot fix the affordability crisis and will fail to end the housing emergency. That’s why the government must adopt a need-led development model that delivers genuinely affordable social homes so that everyone has a safe, affordable and secure place to call home.
Published: 18 February 2026
Homelessness in the Classroom
One in 78 schoolchildren in England is homeless in temporary accommodation. This report looks at the effects that being homeless has on their health, wellbeing, education and relationships, as seen through the eyes of their teachers.
Published: 26 January 2026
Shelter's response to MHCLG London Housebuilding consultation
Shelter responds to MHCLG's consultation on London housebuilding and provides evidence that shows the proposed cuts to the affordable housing threshold in London are unnecessary and counterproductive.
Published: 22 January 2026
Shelter’s response to GLA London Planning Guidance consultation
Shelter responds to the Greater London Authority's London Planning Guidance consultation and provides evidence that shows the proposed cuts to the affordable housing threshold in London are unnecessary and counterproductive.
Published: 22 January 2026
Homelessness in England 2025
Shelter's annual analysis of the total number of people who are homeless in England in 2025
Published: 11 December 2025