Every child deserves security

Shelter fights for housing rights as child homelessness hits a record.

While their classmates are enjoying their summer holidays, for some children, the return to school can’t come soon enough, as they face a long, difficult summer stuck in damaging and insecure temporary accommodation. 

Government statutory homelessness figures, released on 22nd July 2025, revealed 169,050 children are now homeless in temporary accommodation in England – this is a 12% increase in a year, the highest number since records began in 2004. This is the devastating result of a severe shortage of genuinely affordable social rent homes and inadequate levels of housing benefit that continue to trap families in homelessness.

Billy was only seven when his dad, Shandor, had an accident at work, and everything changed. The injuries left Shandor with a disability and on sick leave, but he eventually lost his job entirely. Unable to afford the rent, Shandor was placed in temporary accommodation just a day before he was forced to leave his previous home. “I couldn’t see beyond the end of the day”, says Shandor. “I had visions of having to sleep in the car. I really was at a low ebb. It was awful.”   

With guidance from Shelter, he managed to find a social home – a comfortable, secure place for him and Billy to live. This meant everything to Shandor, who recalls the joy and relief. “Security, comfort, stability. Knowing where we’re going to be, all the possibilities… it really was spectacular.” 

By leaving a gift in your will to Shelter, you can make sure they will be there for years to come – standing shoulder to shoulder with people as they fight for their housing rights.

Shelter won’t give up. Not until everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. And future generations don’t ever have to worry about becoming homeless. 

You can make real change happen.

Write your will for free

You can get a simple will written for free. Visit shelter.org.uk/legacy or Search ‘Shelter will’

To find out more, contact Daisy in the Gifts in Wills Team on 03445151617 or legacies@shelter.org.uk – she’ll be happy to help.  

While there is no obligation to remember Shelter in your will, they would be very grateful for any gift you choose to make. 

 

SHELTER
0344 515 1617
legacies@shelter.org.uk
www.shelter.org.uk/legacy