Looking ahead
Providing direct support to people most impacted by the housing emergency will always be at the heart of our work. We are committed to continuing this critical work to help those who need it most.
However, the scale of demand and wider systemic issues mean that we simply cannot provide direct support to everyone who needs it. The only way we can reach everyone is by securing real change in the housing system. Not just in policymaking, but also on the frontline to ensure that policy is enforced and rights are upheld.
Over the past year, we have helped thousands of households facing homelessness with our frontline services, seen landmark progress on renters' rights, strengthened the case for investment in social housing and continued to amplify the voices of people with lived experience.
These are huge achievements, but they exist within the context of a housing emergency that continues to affect millions of people across England.
The scale of the challenge demands targeted and sustained action. That is why, as we enter the next year of our strategy, we are focused on clear, actionable goals.
To achieve our goals, we will:
Continue the fight to deliver the social homes we need.
The housing emergency cannot be solved without a significant increase in genuinely affordable social housing. We will continue mobilising supporters, building public support, influencing decision-makers and working alongside our partners to turn political commitments into tangible outcomes. Through our national campaigns and local action, we will keep pushing for the social homes that communities urgently need.Protect and enforce housing rights.
Legislative change, like the Renters' Rights Act and Awaab’s Law, is only the beginning. The true test of any reform is whether it improves people's lives in practice. We will work to ensure that the law is upheld and people's housing rights are properly defended and enforced. Across all our work, our commitment to lived experience, anti-racism and equity remains unwavering.Campaign for housing justice.
We will continue campaigning for housing justice, holding decision makers to account and helping people understand and exercise their rights. We know that housing injustice does not affect everyone equally, and are committed to exposing and confronting the systemic racism and discrimination at the heart of the housing emergency. We will hold to account those who violate people’s rights and exploit power imbalances, and challenge public sector bodies who fail to meet their legal duties. Ending the housing emergency will require action from individuals, government, local authorities, housing providers, businesses, communities, and campaigners.Continue to centre lived experience and anti-racism.
We will continue to build the broad coalition needed to secure long term change, with lived experience and anti-racism at its heart. Whether involved with direct action, supporting our campaigns, donating time or money, this coalition will help us deliver our goals and ensure they are sustainable. It will take persistence, partnership and collective action.
With legal support from Shelter, Georgia was successfully able to move into a permanent social home.
Thank you
The progress highlighted throughout this report would not have been possible without the extraordinary support of people who believe in Shelter's mission.
To everyone who donated, left a legacy gift in their will, campaigned, volunteered, partnered with us or stood alongside us this year: thank you. Your solidarity helps us to fight for housing rights, campaign for a new generation of social homes and create a more equitable society, where families can make memories, put down roots and feel safe. Together, we are making a lasting impact and giving people real change.
Your support has helped people facing homelessness find safety. It has helped renters challenge unfair treatment. It has helped place housing firmly on the national agenda. And it has strengthened the movement working to realise a future where everyone has a safe, secure and affordable home.
The challenges ahead are significant. But so is the momentum we are building. Together, we have shown that change is possible. Together, we will continue fighting for a housing system that works for everyone. And together, we can build a future where home is not a privilege, but a reality for everyone.
This content is from our 2025/26 impact report. It covers our work between April 2025 and March 2026, and all information is accurate as of this period.