Shelter’s major new Fair Rent Homes report reveals the true scale of affordable housebuilding this country needs

Shelter’s major new Fair Rent Homes report  reveals the true scale of affordable housebuilding this country needs, new figures show that a massive 44% of low earning renters are being forced to cut back on basics like food, clothes or toys for their children just to cover the cost of their rent.

Today in a groundbreaking new report, Shelter is calling on the government to dramatically increase its building of genuinely affordable housing with a new generation of Fair Rent Homes for working families who are desperately struggling to keep up.

On top of the welcome pledge of 25,000 new council homes announced at Conservative Party Conference, Shelter says more are urgently needed and the invitation to rent an affordable home must also be extended up the income scale to address the breadth and depth of the problem.

Releasing new research with YouGov showing 44% of low paid renters cut back on basics like food, clothing and toys for their children to pay for their home, Shelter says young working people and families who are just managing to keep their heads above water also need the government’s help.

Shelter is calling for a massive boost to affordable housing, with half a million Fair Rent Homes being built for low earners, in addition to half a million council homes for those in the greatest need – one million homes for people who are struggling over the next ten years.

With rents tied to local incomes, Fair Rent Homes would help low to middle earners, typically working in jobs such as care home staff, hairdressers, security guards, factory workers and sales representatives. This group cannot get a council house but cannot keep up with market rent either, due their low incomes. They are essentially trapped.

Worryingly, the Shelter research also shows that one in ten workers on low wages also fall behind on other payments such as gas and electricity bills or council tax so they can pay their rent.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “No parent should have to choose between buying school clothes or paying their rent. But far too many families are feeling shame and anxiety as they are forced to make impossible decisions just to keep a roof over their children’s heads.

“This report reveals the true scale of housebuilding this country needs. Despite slogging every hour they can, huge numbers of people are struggling to keep up with colossal private rents. And with next to no chance of getting a council home, they are trapped and are forced into dangerous debt.

“It’s good to see the government investing in council housing for those hit hardest by the housing crisis but there are millions more low paid renters only just scraping by, who also need help. Only investing in a new generation of Fair Rent Homes will give these families the chance of a stronger and more secure future.”

Case study: Nadine from Wokingham works two jobs to pay her rent of £950 per month, in sales and as a health consultant. But every month she still struggles to pay for the roof over her daughter’s head.

She says:Until my daughter turned 16 recently, I cut back on an awful lot of clothes for her. I only managed to buy two new shirts and one from a charity shop to keep her in a school uniform – she wore the rest for the entire time she was there. I used to glue her school shoes back together myself, but managed to replace them once when the hole in the sole was so big that her socks got soaked when it rained.

“We haven’t had a holiday for three years – not even a weekend away. Her school trips were her holidays and they were only paid for by tight budgeting, and my daughter’s own savings. I don’t want her life chances spoilt by a housing crisis which takes all my money. I would rather go without things like food and clothes for myself than have her miss out on things other children do.”

Source of information Shelter

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More
Home and Living

Expert reveals the exact date parents must start renovating in time for summer

Loft and attic renovations are gaining popularity this spring, with nearly 11,000 monthly Google searches, highlighting them as one of the top home renovation projects Brits are planning in the coming weeks. Loft conversion specialist Sally McClean, loft conversion specialist from Enfields loft conversions Rooftop Rooms, shares the exact dates homeowners should start their renovations…
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide HPI – Annual house price growth steady in March

Annual rate of house price growth remained stable in March at 3.9%, unchanged from February Northern Ireland remained the top performing area, with annual price growth accelerating to 13.5% London weakest performing region, with 1.9% year-on-year rise Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “UK house price growth remained stable in March…
Read More
Breaking News

Tenants and landlords must be aware of new electrical safety standards in Northern Ireland

Propertymark has urged tenants and landlords in Northern Ireland to be aware of new electrical safety standards that begin on 1 April 2025.   On 19 November 2024, the new regulations were approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly in response to a public consultation throughout September 2023.   From 1 April 2025, the regulations introduce the responsibility for…
Read More
Countryside
Breaking News

End to rent adjudication measures in Scotland

Letting agents across Scotland will welcome the news that the temporary rent adjudication measures end on 31 March 2025. The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022, which temporarily protected tenants by controlling rent, limiting evictions, and setting up rent review measures, ended on 31 March 2024. However, some of these measures were extended…
Read More
Breaking News

Propertymark comments on Stamp Duty threshold changes

Commenting on the Stamp Duty threshold changes commencing from tomorrow, 1 April, Toby Leek, President of NAEA Propertymark, the leading professional body for estate agents, said: “There will be many people completing on the sale of their home today to save potentially thousands of pounds from tomorrow onwards. “Some will also be disappointed that they…
Read More