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.
Back to the Future: The Next Generation of New Towns
The government’s plan to build a new generation of new towns offers a unique opportunity to help address England’s housing emergency, characterised by rising homelessness, unaffordable rents, and an under-supply of social homes. This report, learning from the success of post-war new towns, argues the government must reinvigorate the publicly-led Development Corporation model to place social housebuilding at the centre of its plans and achieve the social and economic objectives we believe should be at the heart of the new programme.
Published: 2 September 2025
Briefing: Planning and Infrastructure Bill Committee Stage, House of Lords
Shelter's briefings for Committee Stage in the House of Lords set out the key changes needed to ensure that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill delivers the social homes that are desperately needed across the country. They focus on priority areas including ensuring the onsite delivery of social rent on new developments and re-defining 'affordable housing' to mean social rent. These improvements are essential to ensure the Bill delivers more social housing.
Published: 29 August 2025
A Fairer Housing System: Why race discrimination in access to social housing must be tackled via the new Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing
A Fairer Housing System: Why race discrimination in access to social housing must be tackled via the new Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing
Published: 22 July 2025
Briefing: Are there disparities in the length of time White and Black and Black Mixed heritage headed households are spending in temporary accommodation?
Briefing exploring whether there are disparities in the length of time White and Black and Black Mixed heritage headed households are spending in temporary accommodation?
Published: 15 July 2025
My colour speaks before me: How racism and discrimination affect Black and Black Mixed heritage people’s access to social homes in England
Peer research exploring racism and discrimination in housing for Black and Black Mixed heritage people.
Published: 15 July 2025
Building Climate Justice
Report setting out a sustainable approach to the delivery of social rent homes in England.
Published: 26 June 2025
Briefings: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage, House of Lords
Shelter's briefings for Report 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: 26 June 2025
Briefing: affordable rent is not affordable
Affordable rent is in fact unaffordable in 42% of areas in England. The government must prioritise social rent homes, which are affordable virtually everywhere.
Published: 28 May 2025
Briefing: What happened with Scotland's rent stabilisation
Shelter briefing on the impact of limits to in-tenancy rent increases in Scotland.
Published: 6 May 2025
Briefing: future trends in temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation costs councils eyewatering sums. New Shelter analysis estimates the scale and cost of the temporary accommodation emergency in 2029.
Published: 29 April 2025