Kimberley’s story November 9, 2018 Kimberley and her family became homeless when their landlord decided to sell. They desperately tried to find another flat to rent privately but because they were receiving housing benefit, or DSS, time and time again they were re read more… Read more
About Home Newsletter
What being a helpline adviser is really like
Our helpline is vital for anyone who needs emergency housing advice, 365 days a year. Sharon, one of our expert advisers answers your questions.
Q: Who calls the helpline?
Anyone and everyone; people from every walk of life and across all generations.
Q: What do they call about?
It can vary seasonally. For example, during the winter months we have a lot of calls about damp and mould, boiler problems and general disrepair in rented properties.
Changes in legislation and … Read more
Every door closed to you, every avenue exhausted until you end up sleeping in your car
Join our campaign and stop this shocking discrimination against people on benefits from wrecking lives
Open discrimination against people on benefits is freely taking place up and down the country, in letting agent windows and online adverts. In ‘No DSS’, we have a sign that prejudice is rife in the housing market. And it’s destroying lives.
For private renters squeezed by low wages and high prices, ‘No DSS’ can be the final straw. Some landlords and letting agents won’t rent … Read more
From sleeping on the streets to pounding them for Shelter
Taxi driver Barry is a former rough sleeper. He tells us why he’s running the London Marathon for Shelter
Today, I look back at how impossible I was, when really I was a scared and frightened little boy.
I’d spent my teenage years in an out of children’s homes, foster care and supported living. At 16, I was placed into a bedsit with lots of support, but I let myself down by not accepting any help.
At 17 when I … Read more
Over a year since the Grenfell fire
Over a year later, we’re still supporting residents who survived the Grenfell Tower fire, and working to hold the authorities to account and leading the conversation on the future of social housing.
How we’ve helpedImmediately after the fire Shelter’s team of advisers, solicitors and volunteers offered expert housing advice and support. And we set up a new dedicated service.
We have so far helped 90 people from Grenfell Tower and 180 from the nearby community.
Stephanie, whose flat overlooks … Read more
No one should have to choose between their health and their home
Imagine wanting to take your child home from hospital but being unable to do so as the conditions there would make him ill – or even endanger his life. That’s what Laura faced until our hospital discharge team in Birmingham stepped into help.
When we first met Laura, she was living in a damp and mouldy council flat with her four young children, worried for their health and terrified they might be taken into care.
Living in unacceptable conditionsLaura, … Read more