Who we are

Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing.

We do this by giving advice, information and advocacy to people in housing need, and by campaigning for lasting political change to end the housing crisis for good.

What does Shelter do?

Help and advice

Shelter cannot house you, but we can give confidential help to people with all kinds of housing problems.

'My situation completely improved in as much as I didn't have to move out and was given a solicitor to advise me and represent me in court if necessary. I was very impressed with your attitude and the help I was given. Excellent.' - Shelter client

Fighting for change

Shelter tackles the root causes of bad housing by lobbying government and local authorities for new laws and policies, and more investment, to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people.

Our influential campaigns bring aspects of bad housing to the attention of the media and the public, who help us fight for solutions.

Informing professionals

As a leading expert on housing in Britain, we develop practical solutions to address the housing crisis. We also work in conjunction with the housing sector to promote good practice, publish reports, and deliver professional training.

How we make a difference

The Problem: Rent deposits unfairly withheld

Shelter collects evidence that many people who rent their homes privately are having deposit money withheld unfairly. This suggests there is an urgent need for legislation.

Policy & Research

The Government publishes a tenancy deposit consultation paper and an evaluation of its pilot deposit protection scheme (2002). Based on these, Shelter’s policy unit recommends:

Campaigns

Shelter urges its campaigners to show support for Shelter’s recommendations and get them made law in the Housing Bill (2004).

Services – the Housing Aid Centre

In Stratford, north-east London, Shelter caseworkers notice huge numbers of private tenants from Eastern Europe having their tenancy deposits withheld unfairly by unscrupulous landlords.

Services – the specialist project

In response, Shelter sets up the East London Multilingual Private Tenancy Advice Project, to offer housing support and financial advice to this vulnerable community.

Legislative change

March 2007. Government announces that Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes will come into force from April 6.

The solution

Shelter research, policy recommendations, and campaign efforts all played a crucial role in persuading the Government to introduce these groundbreaking schemes, which will have immediate benefits for people who rent their homes.

How we raise money

The bulk of Shelter's funding comes from donations made by individuals, organisations, charitable foundations and businesses.

Donations from individuals and organisations

From running marathons to organising music nights, individuals and organisations take part in a wide range of fundraising activities for Shelter.

Many individuals also give one-off donations to Shelter, or regular gifts via Direct Debit, after having direct contact with our work or hearing about it through advertising or media coverage.

We also have a face-to-face fundraising team that goes out on to the street to sign up new Direct Debit givers. This is a very cost effective way of raising awareness and generating income for Shelter. All our fundraisers abide by a strict industry code of practice.

Donations from charitable foundations and trusts

Charitable foundations and trusts often provide support for a specific project or service. The Pilgrim Trust, for example, funds a project supporting ex-offenders after release, while the Big Lottery Fund supports our work with homeless children at the Newham Education Project.

Donations from businesses

Corporate partnerships bring much-needed funds to Shelter, and introduce new audiences to our work.

Funding from other sources

Aside from Government grants and legal advice contracts, Shelter's nationwide network of charity shops is another source of funding.

Our Training teams in England and Scotland offer expertly run courses in housing and personal development subjects. They promote good practice in the housing sector at the same time as raising funds for Shelter.

If you would like further information on Shelter and the opportunities they have to offer, please visit our website - www.shelter.org.uk