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A year of wins and real hope
Change takes time. But it happens – because of you!
This is why we don't stop
2025 was a year of big wins.
After six years of campaigning, landmark new rights for renters were announced (they come into effect this year). And after tens of thousands of you contacted the chancellor, £39 billion was promised for social housing. Don't ever doubt it – a better future starts with you.
New rights for renters
From 1 May, the most important changes in the Renters' Rights Act come into effect. It will transform life for England's 11 million private renters. No more section 21 'no fault' evictions. A ban on discrimination against people who receive benefits. A limit on how much rent can be asked for in advance.
These are once-in-a-generation changes, driven by community campaigning and people's real experiences.
Across the country, renters shared their stories with Shelter – and we made sure MPs saw the reality of renting today. That reality is about to change forever.
A turning point for social housing
The £39 billion promised for social housing over the next 10 years is the biggest boost in a generation, intended to reverse years of chronic underfunding. It will mean tens of thousands of families currently living homeless in temporary accommodation or forced into overcrowded or unsafe homes will finally have a safe, secure place to live.
As well as pushing for this vital funding, your support for Shelter meant you joined forces with communities achieving change nationwide.
In Merseyside, the House Everyone in Liverpool Properly action group urged Liverpool Council to commit to more social housing. Dorset's Housing Action Collective pushed for affordable homes. We were proud to support these and many other local campaigns, as social housing finally got the kind of attention and investment it urgently needs.
What's next?
There is so much more to do. We know not everyone has equal access to truly affordable homes, so we have to campaign for a fairer housing system that's free from racism and discrimination. You might have seen some of the brilliant examples of this already happening in communities.
We also need to work alongside the 84,000 families still stuck in temporary accommodation and make sure the new funding for social housing rapidly turns into new social homes. Sounds ambitious? It is. But if last year showed us anything, it's that together we can achieve momentous change that once seemed impossible.