Introduction from Tim Gutteridge and Helen MacNamara

Over the past year, we have celebrated monumental victories in the fight for home.

Following tireless campaigning from thousands of Shelter supporters like you, the new government made firm commitments to tackle the housing emergency, with a manifesto pledge to deliver 'the biggest boost to social housing in a generation'.

However, commitments alone do little to help the thousands of people forced to sleep rough on the streets, and the hundreds of thousands of people trapped in unstable temporary accommodation, including over 169,000 children. This is the highest since records began.

With many others at risk of homelessness, and as the housing emergency has continued to worsen, we have worked tirelessly to hold the new government to account and turn their words into meaningful action.

Activism and ambition for lasting change continue to be at the heart of everything we do. Alongside fighting on the national stage with campaigns, policy development and research, we've fought for people's rights through our community-based services, national helpline and webchat.

As you will read in this report, our services have transformed lives this year. Their lived experience underpins our activism and informs our approach every step of the way in driving meaningful and lasting change for generations to come.

A man pushing a wheelbarrow through a sunny passage between flats.

Change starts with communities

We know that social change is built on communities standing together. This year we have continued to stand with communities through our 11 local hubs in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Blackburn, Norwich, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham and Sheffield.

Our community-based advice, advocacy and support is particularly vital for those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. To prevent this, we have delivered targeted outreach in locations like food banks, family hubs and job centres across the country. We have also delivered housing rights workshops to empower communities to navigate complex housing systems and advocate for themselves.

Through local lived experience groups, we have provided opportunities for those at the sharp end of the housing emergency to influence policy and practice on a local and national level. For example, this year Bristol City Council consulted our Women's Action Group when designing their women's rough sleeping census and local domestic abuse and housing policy.

Our community organisers have continued to support local campaigners to take action on local issues, like our Norwich Renters Collective's massive victory in their Anglia Square development campaign.

Back in 2022, a private developer was set to build less than 10% affordable housing at the site. After more than two years of campaigning, Norwich Council announced the purchase of Anglia Square and their ambition to build 50% social housing on the site. A huge win which will deliver truly affordable homes for those who need them most.

Leading a national movement

During an overwhelming year of rapidly shifting news cycles and consecutive crises, our national platform has been critical to keep the housing emergency at the forefront of public and government conversations. Alongside highlighting the urgency and scale of England's housing emergency, we have presented clear, credible solutions which are beginning to take root in national policy.

In June, we welcomed the government's announcement of their £39 billion investment into social and affordable housing. We've also played a key role in shaping the upcoming Renters' Rights Act, which will bring vitally needed stability to the more than 11 million people in private rented accommodation across England. These are both huge steps in the right direction, but the government must do more to meaningfully address, and end the housing emergency.

You can read more about our campaign for renters' rights and our Investment in Social Housing campaign later in this report.

At her first budget as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves cited Shelter when announcing limits to the Right to Buy scheme, which are essential to protect England's existing social homes.

During Labour's first party conference after forming government, Shelter hosted a packed event on tackling the housing emergency with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and lived experience campaigner from our Liverpool Hub, Ray.

Reflecting on the experience, Ray said:

'I've gone from sleeping in a freezing cold park in Liverpool to speaking about homelessness at the Labour Party Conference. Thank goodness for the beautiful people at Shelter – and its supporters – who can be there for people like me.'

These are just some of the dozens of times over the past year where Shelter has played a leading role in the national movement for housing justice.

A man wearing a black T-shirt, sitting on a sofa at home and looking thoughtful.

Thank you for fuelling our fight for home

From fighting for a safe and stable home for thousands of people through our frontline services, to campaigning for landmark legislation, everything we've achieved this year was made possible by generous supporters like you.

While we have much to celebrate, it is essential that we keep going. Over the past year, we have seen record-high numbers of children in temporary accommodation, and the building of social homes is yet to increase from historically low levels.

We hope you'll be inspired by the stories in the following pages, because they show that together, we can achieve transformational impact in the face of enormous challenges.

Tim Gutteridge
Chief Executive (interim)
Helen MacNamara
Chair of Trustees

This content is from our 2024/25 impact report. It covers our work between April 2024 and March 2025, and all information is accurate as of this period.