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: the Human and Economic Impact of Social Homes
This report shares emerging findings from a ground-breaking longitudinal research project on the benefits of social homes alongside new economic analysis on the cost of not delivering social homes at scale.
Published: 25 September 2025
Research: The Cost of Inaction
Shelter commissioned Cebr (Centre for Economics and Business Research) to estimate the costs to the government and key public services if social rent delivery remains low and households remain in poor quality and expensive homes.
Published: 25 September 2025
Impact of Social Rent Homes: Interim Report
Shelter commissioned HACT (Housing Associations' Charitable Trust) to carry out a ground-breaking longitudinal research project on the impact of moving into a social rent home. This interim research report presents emerging findings on the short-term benefits.
Published: 25 September 2025
Briefing: Frozen Out of A Home
A new briefing on why the government must unfreeze local housing allowance, to help a record number of families out of homelessness in damaging temporary accommodation.
Published: 19 September 2025
Shelter response to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation
Shelter welcomes the government’s plan to implement minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in social housing. We set out four key recommendations to government to help implement MEES effectively and protect social tenants, putting tenant choice at the heart of this new standard.
Published: 11 September 2025
Shelter response to Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (social and private rented sectors)
Shelter responds to the governments Consultation on reforming the current Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for social and privately rented homes.
Published: 11 September 2025
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill, Consideration of Amendments
Shelter's briefing for the Renters' Rights Bill Consideration of Amendments. The briefing sets out the need to ensure the passage of a strong Bill and outline a clear implementation timeline. It details why Royal Assent and commencement date are needed urgently, alongside Shelter's position on outstanding amendments to the Bill.
Published: 8 September 2025
Back to the Future: The Next Generation of New Towns
A report on new towns calling on government to reinvigorate the publicly-led Development Corporation model to place social housebuilding at the centre of its plans.
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
Shelter response to How to implement Social Rent convergence consultation
Shelter responds to the government's How to implement Social Rent convergence consultation.
Published: 27 August 2025